FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Carya ovata | Shagbark Hickory 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
All sizes of shagbark hickory are susceptible to damage by fire [20].
However, trees less than 10 inches [25 cm] in d.b.h. tend to be more
susecptible to damage or mortality than trees larger than 10 inches
d.b.h. [53,60]

The effect of fire on hickories varies with topography, slope, aspect,
season of burn, and fire intensity [37].  Light fires commonly top-kill
sprouts and seedlings but leave underground portions undamaged [23].
Hot fires often kill or damage even large trees [23].  Trees are
generally less severely damaged if burned while dormant [37].

The tight, solid bark of hickories is more susceptible to fire-scarring
than is the rough or corky bark of other species [31].  Fire-scarred
hickories are susceptible to rot [23,42], which can ultimately kill the
tree.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
In an oak-hickory stand in southeastern Missouri, most hickories were
top-killed by a wildlfire [38].  Fire-caused mortality of shagbark
hickory can be predicted using a mathematical model [39].


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Mature hickories often sprout from the root crown when top-killed by
fire [38]; top-killed seedlings sometimes sprout from dormant buds
located on the root collar or lower portions of the stem [49].  Some
seedling establishment may also occur.

Postfire increases in stem density have been reported, but recovery is
often relatively slow.  Fifty-five years after a late summer fire in
Connecticut, hickories exhibited greater "relative and absolute levels"
than on adjacent unburned sites [60].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Postfire origin of hickory ingrowth following a late summer fire in a
Connecticut mixed hardwood stand was 105 sprouts and 162 seedlings per
hectare in burned areas, compared to four sprouts and nine seedlings per
hectare in unburned areas.  Hickories of sprout origin represented 31
percent of stems of all species on unburned plots and 39 percent on
burned sites [60].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Scattered surviving hickories often develop large crowns and exhibit
good nut production after fire.  These trees may be particularly
valuable for many wildlife species.

Related categories for Species: Carya ovata | Shagbark Hickory