FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Ceanothus cuneatus | Wedgeleaf Ceanothus 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Wedgeleaf ceanothus is typically killed by fire.  However, seeds stored
in soil beneath the parent plants are generally unharmed by most fires.
Seed retains viability even when exposed to temperatures up to 176
degrees F (80 degrees C) [62].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Wedgeleaf ceanothus regenerates through seed after fire [8,35,45,52].
Seed is noted for its long viability [34], and great numbers accumulate
in the soil, litter, or duff beneath the parent plants [9,17].  Seed is
extremely resistant to heat and remains undamaged even when exposed to
temperatures up to 176 degrees F (80 degrees C) [62].

Seedling establishment:  Heat generated by fire stimulates the
germination of numerous seedlings by breaking down dormancy mechanisms
[52].  Concentrations of seedlings are frequently observed in areas
which burned particularly hot, such as under brush piles or shrubs [21].
These high temperatures may have reduced competing vegetation as well as
enhanced germination through mechanical changes in the seed itself [21].
Establishment is generally rapid.  Seedlings are common during the first
postfire year, but few emerge during the second year [25,62].  Emergence
after the second postfire year is rare.

Germination and subsequent seedling establishment appears to be highest
following fall burns, and lowest after fires which occur from March 15
through April 1 [8,25].  This is presumably due to the ameliorating
affective of moisture on heat transfer [4].  Following fall burns, seeds
are also naturally stratified over the winter months, which promotes
germination.  Seedlings which emerge after early spring burns are not
stratified and, in addition, must compete with a thick growth of
herbaceous vegetation [25].  Seedling emergence is generally deferred
until the following year when chaparral is burned after early April [8].

Seedling mortality:  Seedling mortality is great during the first few
years after fire [55].  Declines in seedling numbers of up to 90 percent
have been observed during the first 3 years, with first year mortality
of 84 percent or more [5].  Much of this mortality is attributable to
the effects of drought, competition with grasses and other herbaceous
vegetation [56], or intense browsing by herbivores.

Growth:  Postfire growth of seedlings has been correlated with the
amount of available nitrogen [46].  Maximum seedling height growth
during the first summer after fire was 10 inches (25 cm) [9].  On
unbrowsed burned plots, plants reached maximum heights of 16 inches (41
cm) after 4 growing seasons [25].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Since most seed germinates after a single fire, wedgeleaf ceanothus can
be significantly reduced if an area is reburned prior to maturation of a
second seed crop [8].  Frequent fires can eliminate this species [44],
although single fires appear to favor species such as wedgeleaf
ceanothus [36].  To ensure good vigor and adequate regeneration
potential, managers recommend against burning wedgeleaf ceanothus at
less than 20 to 25 year intervals [9].

Wildlife considerations:  Open brush created by burning stands of
wedgeleaf ceanothus provides extremely favorable deer habitat [8].
However, deer relish seedlings during the first few years after fire and
can adversely impact regeneration, particularly on small burns.
Managers recommend burning 5 to 10 acre (2-4 ha) patches, and providing
as much edge effect as possible to maximize value to deer [8].	

Production:  Postfire production of wedgeleaf ceanothus was found to
average approximately 145 lbs. per acre (27 kg per ha) 5 years after a
fall burn [25].

Related categories for Species: Ceanothus cuneatus | Wedgeleaf Ceanothus