FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Prunus americana | American Plum 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
This species is presumed to be somewhat resistant to fire mortality due
to its ability to spread from underground rootstocks [9,12,36].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
The Prunus genus is generally resistant to fire mortality [37].  Season
of burning and burn frequency appear to have a significant effect upon
the ability of both chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and bittercherry
(Prunus emarginata) to survive burning.


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Postburn plant response in American plum has not been widely documented.
However, a similar species of native plum, chickasaw plum (Prunus
angustifolia), recovers quite rapidly on grassland sites in Texas [13].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Ubiquitous seedling establishment following disturbance by fire has been
documented in a number of Prunus species which typically occur as seral
shrubs in forested communities.  These include pin cherry (Prunus
pensylvanica) [8,20], black cherry (Prunus serotina) [2], and
bittercherry [18,23].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Prunus americana | American Plum