FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix nigra | Black Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Although black willow does exhibit some fire adaptations, it is very
susceptible to fire damage and will typically decrease following fire
[1].  High-severity fires can kill entire stands of black willow.
Low-severity fires can scorch the bark and seriously wound trees,
leaving them more susceptible to insects and disease [5,37].  Surface
fires will also destroy young seedlings and saplings [5,24,37].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Black willow will sprout from the base following fire [5,37].  Fires
that expose bare mineral soil may create a favorable seedbed for black
willow establishment.  However, because seed viability is greatly
reduced by dry conditions [5], seedling establishment on burned sites
depends on the season of the burn, amount of moisture available, and
amount of exposed mineral soil.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Following a spring fast-moving head fire in a palm (Sabal spp.) grove in
south Texas, all black willow trees up to 13 feet (4 m) tall were
scorched badly and had few green leaves.  Three months after the fire
all aboveground portions of black willow trees had died, but almost all
sprouted from the base.  Following a low to moderate-severity Oklahoma
grassland summer fire, black willow density decreased.  Preburn density
was 169 stems per acre (417 stems/ha); a year following the burn density
was only 51 stems per acre (125 stems/ha) [1].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Burning has been shown to be beneficial in maintaining tallgrass
prairies by inhibiting the invasion of black willow and other woody
species [1].

Related categories for Species: Salix nigra | Black Willow