This study was designed to quantify the short-term resprouting success of the dominant deciduous shrub, little tree willow (Salix arbusculoides), in a subarctic forest following wildfire. The research site was in the central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, in a 300-year-old Picea mariana-dominated upland forest. An exploration seismic line, simulated transport corridor, and wildfire resulted in the removal of aboveground portions of S. arbusculoides. Resprouting occurred from buried root crowns. Current annual shoot and leaf morphology were measured at 1 and 3 growing seasons after mechanical denuding and 2 and 3 growing seasons after wildfire. The main differences among treatments were the increase in number of shoots and leaf size after denuding when compared with undisturbed forest samples. Based on shoot length and leaf area estimates, we predicted there would be more forage available for resident herbivores even during the first growing season after initial denuding. If increased forage availability is a desirable management objective, then denuding by mechanical or burning methods can help increase S. arbusculoides. © 2004, Tall Timbers Research, Inc.