FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Corylus americana | American Hazel 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
The aerial portions of American hazel are easily killed by spring and
summer fires [7].

On four oak savanna restoration sites in Minnesota, annual fires reduced
the frequency of American hazel from 65 percent on unburned plots to 39
percent on burned plots.  Although annual burning increased the density of
hazel stems, stems on burned sites were shorter and smaller than stems
on unburned sites [3]


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
American hazel sprouts from rhizomes following fire [6].

A volume equation for determining biomass, growth response, and woody
density for American hazel following fire has been developed [8].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In areas where fire has been excluded, a heavy density of American hazel
has developed, suppressing desirable tree species and contributing to
fuel buildup [10,21].

Repeated summer fires inhibit the ability of American hazel to sprout by
exposing and damaging underground stems and roots and exhausting stored
food reserves.  Single fires may eliminate American hazel if humus is
sufficiently dry to be completely consumed [6].

Related categories for Species: Corylus americana | American Hazel