FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Betula occidentalis | Water Birch 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Aboveground plant parts of water birch are easily destroyed by fire
because its bark is both thin and flammable [18].  However, plants will
normally resprout from uninjured basal buds [15,18].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Water birch often sprouts from uninjured basal buds following fire
[15,18].  Fires may expose mineral soils which are favorable seedbeds for
this species' light, wind-dispersed seed [15].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Water birch is normally restricted to riparian areas which may act as
natural fire breaks [7].

Related categories for Species: Betula occidentalis | Water Birch