FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Cupressus sargentii | Sargent Cypress 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Sargent cypress is a fire-adapted, fire-dependent species [20,29].  It
has slightly fire-resistant bark and serotinous cones, although its low
branching habit makes it susceptible to crown fires [1,4,30].
Successful cypress (Cupressus spp.) reproduction is generally restricted
to burned sites [29].  The serotinous cones persist on the trees for
years [1,32].  Some Sargent cypress cones have remained closed on trees
for over 8 years [29].  Cone opening is erratic, slow, and almost
negligible except when cones are exposed to extreme heat; then it is
rapid and uniform [22,32].  When opened by the heat of a fire, the seeds
fall on exposed mineral soil [19,30].  Most seed falls in the first few
months following fire [32].  Fires that occur in late summer and fall
and are followed by winter rains ensure seed dissemination on bare
mineral substrates and moist conditions for germination [29].  No
information was available on fire-free intervals for communities
dominated by Sargent cypress.  Tecate cypress (Cupressus guadalupenis
var. forbesii), however, a cypress found in southern California, has an
average interval between fires of 25 years, ranging from 15 to 63 years
[4].  In southern California, Sargent cypress trees generally reach
cone-bearing age before another fire occurs [29,30].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree without adventitious-bud root crown
   Crown residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Cupressus sargentii | Sargent Cypress