FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Taxus brevifolia | Pacific Yew 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Pacific yew is susceptible to heat damage and is most often associated
with forests characterized by long fire-free intervals.  Fire is rare in
many old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest [68].  Fire intervals
in forests containing Pacific yew have been estimated as follows:

Location                  Fire interval            Reference

Bitterroot Mtns. ID, MT   60 years                 [50]
c Western Cascades, OR    100 years                [52]
Siskiyous, OR             20 years                 [7]
nw CA   - low elev.       500-600 years            [68]
nw CA   - mid elev.       150-200 years            [68]

Mature moist-site stands in which Pacific yew grows as scattered
individuals are often considered relics from past fires [34].  In parts
of the Northwest, stand age ranges from 80 to 250 years where fire
intervals average 70 to 120 years [14].  Similarly, in parts of western
Montana, the age of Pacific yew averages approximately 210 years where
fire replacement cycles are estimated at 150 years [14].  This suggests
that the association of Pacific yew with moist microsites conveys some
protection from fire.

After fire, Pacific yew slowly reestablishes by means of bird-dispersed
seed as the overstory canopy develops.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Secondary colonizer - offsite seed

Related categories for Species: Taxus brevifolia | Pacific Yew