Hickerson, J. 1986. It is one of the first shrubs to become green in early spring and is highly palatable to livestock. On sheep range, it is one of the most palatable forage plants during late winter and early spring. Mule deer and pronghorn utilize budsage in spring when it is green and succulent. After elongation of new twigs, volatile oil content increases, and budsage is not often eaten by cattle and horses.
Shrubs occurring in bottomlands occasionally produce adventitious roots.
Budsage regenerates by seed. Budsage occurs on dry saline plains and hills. The shrub normally becomes dormant by early or midsummer but may break dormancy in response to summer rains. When dormancy is broken in early spring and before the the buds elongate, the bark can be easily pulled from the previous season's growth. Fire effects information on budsage is lacking.