FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Juglans microcarpa | Little Walnut 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Little documentation exists on the specific effects of fire on little
walnut.  Mature individuals of the closely related Arizona walnut are
reportedly killed by hot wildfires [4].  Portions of the stumps or root
collars of small black walnuts commonly survive fire [12].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
The response of little walnut to fire has not been documented.  Small
individuals of the closely related black walnut often sprout freely from
the stump after aboveground vegetation is killed or damaged by fire
[12].  Fowells [12] reports that sprouts which develop high on older
stumps often succumb to rot or decay, but those which develop from the
root collar generally survive.  Larger individuals of the Arizona walnut
apparently did not sprout after a hot wildfire in a Southwestern
riparian woodland [4].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Bock and Bock [4] report that prescribed fire is "difficult to manage
and potentially very destructive in established riparian woodlands of
the Southwest."  These relatively rare and fragile areas provide
important food and cover for desert wildlife [28].  Because browse and
cover are often limited in these areas, burning is not generally
recommended [28].

Related categories for Species: Juglans microcarpa | Little Walnut