FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Green Ash 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Limited fire effects information concerning green ash in the northern
Great Plains portion of its range indicates that this species
demonstrates good tolerance to fire when burned in a dormant state
[25,53].  However, because of its thin bark, this species is subject to
girdling by fire, depending on the intensity of the burn [20].  This
species is known to sprout from the root crown following a burn if the
top portion of the plant is killed [3,25].




DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Green ash is tolerant of burning and is stimulated to sprout from the
root crown following damage from fire within the first year of the burn;
however its ability to resprout decreases with age and with diameter
[25].  Although it is thought that vegetative reproduction is the primary
mode of regeneration after fire due to green ash's ability to sprout
prolifically after damage, it is also expected that this tree, a
prolific seeder [53], will regenerate from seeds.  Seedling establishment
may be either off-site or on-site, depending on the season and intensity
of the fire:  a mature tree with seeds intact could probably only
survive a low intensity ground fire.  Response and recovery time
according to fire intensity, severity, and season of the burn has not
been well documented for this species.




DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In the northern Great Plains, fire has been suggested as a possible tool
for treatment of degenerating woody draws [23,43] due to overuse by
livestock (See Value and Use, Management Slot).  Green ash communities
showed an increase in biomass, density, and cover when burned by a
wildfire in the Little Missouri grassland [25], and prescribed fire may
be useful for opening up shrub thickets or for triggering sprouting in
remnant trees and shrubs [23,43].

However, in the bottomland types of the North Central States where
production of wood for sawtimber, veneer, paper and fuel is the primary
management objective, it is recommended that fire not be used as a
management tool, as bottomland species are susceptible to fire damage.
Once larger trees are wounded, the entrance of heartwood decay producing
fungi is facilitated, eventually leading to substantial cull and volume
loss [38].

Related categories for Species: Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Green Ash