FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Cephalanthus occidentalis | Buttonbush 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
NO-ENTRY


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Buttonbush resprouts following fire [9,11].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Buttonbush can become the dominant shrub in grassy, wetland areas of the
South excluded from fire [14].  However, when these areas are burned
buttonbush has been observed sprouting within a few months following
fire [9,11,29].  Frequent fires in harwood swamps of the South often
promote willow sprouting and, occasionally, buttonbush sprouting [30].

Following 2 years of drought, a severe fire in an area of the Okefenokee
Swamp that supported buttonbush killed most of the trees and consumed a
1-inch (2.45 cm) layer of peat [34].  Buttonbush resprouted 7 years
later.


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In Southern marshlands, where grasses are thick and impenetrable, fire
can reduce grass densities and release nutrients, which enhances
establishment of shrubs such as buttonbush [29].

Related categories for Species: Cephalanthus occidentalis | Buttonbush