FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Quercus falcata | Southern Red Oak 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Southern red oak is susceptible to fire because of its thin bark [4].
This species is more susceptible to fire than turkey oak and bluejack
oak, about as susceptible as post oak, and less susceptible than water
oak [6].  While the habitat of the upland variety is often visited by
fire, the moist habitat of cherrybark oak discourages fire entry.

Species such as southern red oak that sprout after fire may become
dominant in transition zones between pine and hardwood forests.  Fires
occurring every decade in Alabama clay hills have resulted in pine-oak
forests containing longleaf pine, shortleaf pine (P. echinata), white
oak, pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and southern red oak [43].  Upland
oak stands may depend upon recurring fire for continued existence.
Without fire, more shade-tolerant species will eventually outcompete
southern red oak [55].
  


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/root sucker
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Quercus falcata | Southern Red Oak