FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Pinus engelmannii | Apache Pine 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire effects on Apache pine are probably influenced most by tree size
and fire intensity.  Apache pine seedlings and saplings are probably
killed by fire.  With thicker bark and deeper roots, mature trees are
fire resistant [7].  Once shed, the small seeds with large wings are
probably killed by fire unless they are covered with an insulating layer
of soil.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
The response of Apache pine to fire was not described in the literature.
Since regeneration of Apache pine is exclusively through seed, rates of
regeneration are probably dependent on survival of mature trees within
the burn and the proximity of seed trees.  Seeds will germinate in
mineral soil exposed by fire as long as adequate moisture is present.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Increased grazing coupled with fire suppression has resulted in crowded,
stunted Apache pine with high amounts of litter and dead fuel in the
oak-pine communities [36].  This increases the fire hazard in these
communities.

Fire is the primary control for southwestern dwarf mistletoe infection.
Prescribed understory burning has been used in interior ponderosa pine
forests to control this pathogen [26].  Since Apache pine and interior
ponderosa pine respond similarly to southwestern dwarf mistletoe
infection [27], fire may be useful for controlling mistletoe in Apache pine.

Related categories for Species: Pinus engelmannii | Apache Pine