FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Quercus bicolor | Swamp White Oak 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Severe fires can top-kill swamp white oak [33].  Moderate fires may kill
seedlings and saplings, but older trees usually survive.  Fire-damaged
surviving trees are susceptible to disease and insect attack.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
A prescribed burn on an Indiana savannah did not kill swamp white oak
saplings and larger trees [1].  However, trees did not sprout following
the burn.  Average fuel loads were 560 g/sq m before the fire and from
400 to 650 g/sq m 1 year after the fire.

Fires during the dormant season are less damaging to oaks because of
lowered ambient temperatures and the tree's physiological state [32].
Crooked trees may be killed more easily than straight trees if the
crooked trees are leaning towards the flames.  Overstocked stands may
suffer more damage from fire due to reduced vigor and size of
individuals [32].  Fire appears to affect acorn crops only in that,
dying trees tend to produce a massive crop.  Acorns themselves are
easily destroyed by fire because of high moisture content [32].


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Swamp white oak stems can resprout following fire.  Sprouts can grow as
much as 3 to 6 feet (1-3 m) per year for the first 2 to 3 postfire years
[33].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fire can reduce litter depth, allowing oak seedlings to become
established [32].  Fire can also reduce stocking rates of other species,
allowing oak species to increase in basal area.  Fire can induce
vigorous sprouting from older root stock, which may be a preferred
reproductive method [32].

Related categories for Species: Quercus bicolor | Swamp White Oak