FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Robinia neomexicana | New Mexico Locust 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire probably kills New Mexico locust aerial stems and seedlings.
However, the root crown can survive low- to moderate-severity fires
[44].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Surviving New Mexico locust root crowns and rhizomes sprout following
fire [8].  From information about the rate of growth, it is probable
that postfire recovery via sprouting is good [32].  Two years after a
fire in north-central New Mexico, New Mexico locust, at a density of 240
plants per acre (593 plants/ha), had 295 sprouts per acre (729
sprouts/ha) with an average height of 15 inches (38 cm) [44].

Hanks and Dick-Peddie [28] evaluated the effects of elevation and
exposure on 11 burns aged 3 to 80 years in south-central New Mexico.
There was no trend in size or number of trees for New Mexico locust.
New Mexico locust was nearly ubiquitous on burned sites below 10,000
feet (3,048 m) by postfire year 2 or 3.

Potter and Foxx [44] looked at sprouting on a low-severity burn at
postfire year 2; a moderate-severity burn at postfire year 17; and a
high-severity burn at postfire year 100.  New Mexico locust had the
greatest number of sprouts per acre on the moderate-severity burn area
at postfire year 17.

In a pinyon-Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) woodland in
northwestern Arizona, shrubs were assessed at postfire year 20.  The
area had been seeded to introduced grasses.  New Mexico locust occurred
infrequently; the plants were assumed to be on-site survivors that had
sprouted [15].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
The use of fire to control New Mexico locust and improve conifer
regeneration has not been tested [26].  Potentially, fires occurring
more frequently than every 10 years would favor sprouting shrubs, such
as New Mexico locust, over nonsprouting shrubs [59].

Related categories for Species: Robinia neomexicana | New Mexico Locust