FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Salix myrtillifolia | Blueberry Willow 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Information on blueberry willow's ability to sprout following fire is
lacking.  It is assumed that following top-kill by fire, this willow
sprouts from the root crown like most other species of willow.  Viereck
and Schandelmeier [27] reported that even old, decadent willows produce
sprouts prolifically immediately after fire.  The sprouting ability of
willows is apparently more vigorous and prolific than birches or alders
[27].

Blueberry willow's abundant, wind-dispersed seeds are important in
colonizing recently burned sites.  The seed is dispersed in the summer
and remains viable for only about 1 week; thus the season of a fire
often determines if blueberry willow can establish during the first or
subsequent postfire years [27].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   survivor species; on-site surviving root crown or caudex
   off-site colonizer; seed carried by wind; postfire years 1 and 2
   off-site colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2

Related categories for Species: Salix myrtillifolia | Blueberry Willow