FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix geyeriana | Geyer Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Plants on organic soils may be killed by severe fires which burn deep
into the soil, char the roots, and prevent sprouting [55].  Less severe
fires only top-kill willows.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Top-killed Geyer willow plants sprout following fire.  Quick, hot fires
generally result in numerous sprouts per plant.  Slow burning fires
result in fewer sprouts because these fires often burn down into the
roots, reducing Geyer willow's sprouting ability [5].  

There is no specific documentation of Geyer willow seedling
establishment following fire.  However seedling establishment by other
willows has been observed following fire on moist, mineral soils [52].
Geyer willow seeds are dispersed in the summer, remain viable for only
about 1 week, and require moist mineral soil for germination.
Therefore, the degree of seedling establishment following fire depends
on the season of burn, on the weather, and on the amount of mineral soil
exposed [53].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire can be used to rejuvenate decadent Geyer willow [5].
Following fire, 5 or more years are required before stems reach
browse-resistant size [30].

Geyer willow often occurs in wet, poorly drained marshes or swamps.
These sites are difficult to burn until they become dry in the late
summer or fall [30].

Related categories for Species: Salix geyeriana | Geyer Willow