FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Cupressus sargentii | Sargent Cypress 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Most severe fires probably kill Sargent cypress.  Cypress thickets are
conducive to crown fires, which usually kill most trees in the burned
area, although fire may be patchy [29].  At the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic
Garden in southern California on October 8, 1943, a severe fire killed
all Sargent cypress trees [30].  Some large trees could probably survive
surface fires; however, most large trees in burned areas are located on
bare or rocky sites that may have been left unburned [29].  Cones of the
California cypress open as the resin melts and boils.  Rapid charring of
the thick cone scales extinguishes the flames, leaving seeds unburned
[4].
  


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Sargent cypress release large quantities of seed after fire [30].  In
Lake County, it occurs on recently burned areas with MacNab cypress
[22].  Sargent cypress commonly forms thickets of dwarfed trees
following chaparral fires [22,30].  


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fires occurring too frequently in Sargent cypress groves may destroy
them, as reproduction could be eliminated before it had a chance to
produce cones.  Conversely, fire suppression could threaten the species
[4,5].  

Related categories for Species: Cupressus sargentii | Sargent Cypress