FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Quercus garryana | Oregon White Oak 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fire ecology:  Historically, Oregon white oak was subjected to a fire
regime of low-severity surface fires occurring every few years.  A study
in the Oregon white oak woodlands of Humbolt Redwoods State Park,
California, revealed a history of fire every 7.5 to 13.3 years during
the presettlement era [47].  Frequent fire resulted in the open savannas
typical of presettlement times in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, and the
bald hills of California [49].  Dead woody fuels were scant, but flashy
fuels (grasses) were abundant and dry early in summer.  The fire spread
rate was moderated by the gentle topography typical of this cover type.
Fire seldom spread into adjacent coniferous forests [5].

Plant adaptations:  Oregon white oak has adapted to low- to
moderate-severity fire by sprouting from the bole, root crown, and roots
[25,36,48].  Sprouts of this species grow far more rapidly than do
seedlings.  Young trees not subjected to periodic top-kill by fire
followed by sprouting often do not attain sexual maturity before they
succumb to herbivory [48].  Initial establishment of seedlings is
somewhat dependent on fire also.  Although this species does not require
a bare mineral seedbed, seedling recruitment is greatly enhanced when
the litter layer has been removed by fire [4].





POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree with adventitious-bud rootcrown/ soboliferous species root sucker
   Ground residual colonizer (onsite, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - offsite seed

Related categories for Species: Quercus garryana | Oregon White Oak