FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Pinus sabiniana | Gray Pine 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fire is a natural component of the blue oak-gray pine community [1].
Historically, these woodlands burned at 15- to 30-year intervals [1].
Fires were typically intense but of light or moderate severity, with
vegetation and fuels extremely dry in summer [9,28].  Researchers at the
San Joaquin Experimental Range in O'Neals, California, noted fire
surface temperatures near woody vegetation of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit
(650 deg C) in a blue oak-gray pine community with a mixed-grass and
sparse brush understory [28].  A prescribed fire in a blue oak-gray pine
community in Glenville, Kern County, generated subsurface temperatures
of 156 degrees Fahrenheit (69 deg C) at a depth of 2 inches (0.8 cm)
below ground [35].

Gray pine is highly flammable.  The needles contain ether extracts
[5].  It is a heavy resin producer, with the wood, bark, cones, and
needle sheaths all containing pitch [35,40].  Congealed flows of resin
that have dripped from wounds are common on gray pine.  Consequently,
it is susceptible to fire damage [40].

Gray pine has two adaptations which enable it to survive fire.  First,
some large trees will withstand moderate-severity fire.  Mature trees
with thick bark and self-pruned trunks are best able to avoid fatal
scorching [35].  Secondly, seed regeneration is favored following fire.
Fire creates a favorable bare mineral soil seedbed, and heat
scarification of the woody seedcoat increases germination rates [40].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree without adventitious-bud root crown
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - on-site seed
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Pinus sabiniana | Gray Pine