FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Vaccinium ovatum | Evergreen Huckleberry 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Although aboveground foliage is commonly killed by fire, underground
portions of evergreen huckleberry often survive [32,34].  Most western
huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) appear to be particularly vulnerable to
hot, duff-consuming fires [37].  However, older, decadent individuals
can sometimes be rejuvenated by light fires which do not damage
underground regenerative structures [37,39].  Seeds of most
huckleberries are susceptible to heat and are presumably killed by fire
[37].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Vegetative response:  Evergreen huckleberry commonly sprouts after
aboveground foliage is damaged or destroyed by fire [29,32,34].  Most
species of huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.) regenerate from basal sprouts or
from underground structures such as roots or rhizomes [48].  Westman and
Whittaker [29] report that evergreen huckleberry has a "massive
rootcrown" rather than rhizomes.  However, Hooven [29] notes that
postfire sprouting from roots can also occur.  

Recovery of evergreen huckleberry can be relatively rapid wherever
sprouting occurs.  Evergreen huckleberry, Pacific dogwood (Cornus
nuttallii), vine maple, trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), Oregon
grape (Berberis spp.), and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) dominated
within 1 year after a large August fire in a Douglas-fir forest of
western Oregon [29].

Seed:  Seedbanking does not appear to represent an important
regenerative strategy in western huckleberries.  Some seed may be
brought onto the site by bird and mammal dispersers.  Reestablishment by
seed, if it occurs at all, is likely to be slow.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Wildlife:  Evidence suggests that fire suppression may be having an
adverse impact on bear habitat in some areas [59,67].  Once productive
seral berry fields are now being invaded by conifers.  Since plants
beneath a forest canopy generally produce few berries, fruit production
has been steadily declining [39].  Logging treatments which include
severe soil scarification or slash burns may also reduce berry yields.
Even where timber harvest favors berry production, lack of cover in
early years can limit bear use.  However, wildfires often create diverse
habitat mosaics [67] which incorporate elements of hiding cover and
favor bear use.

Prescribed fire:  Flower buds tend to be more numerous on new shoots,
and periodic removal of old shoots can increase flower and fruit
production in many species of huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) [37].
Prescribed fire has long been used to rejuvenate commercial low sweet
blueberry (V. angustifolium) fields and to increase fruit yield [37,39].
Spring burns, conducted when the soil is moist, are generally most
effective in promoting huckleberry fruit production [37,68].

Berry production:  Berry production in most western huckleberries is
generally delayed for at least 5 years after fire [37].  On some sites,
production may be reduced for 20 to 30 years or longer [37].

Related categories for Species: Vaccinium ovatum | Evergreen Huckleberry