FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Quercus macrocarpa | Bur Oak 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Bur oak bark is thick and fire resistant [6,40].  Larger trees often
survive fire [31,34,40].  Bur oak sprouts vigorously from the stump or
root crown after fire [28,31].  It sprouts most prolifically from
pole-size or smaller trees, although larger trees may produce some
sprouts [46].

In many areas, bur oak communities may be favored by fire [16,25].
Without fire, seedlings of bur oak are unable to compete with other,
more shade-tolerant species [25].  Bur oak communities may be replaced by
more shade-tolerant maple-basswood (Acer spp.-Tilia spp.) forests with
in the absence of fire [6,31].  Smaller bur oaks can be reduced or
eliminated by frequent burning if sufficient fuels are available [29].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Survivor Species; on-site surviving root crown or caudex 
   Survivor Species; on-site surviving rhizomes
   Off-site Colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2

Related categories for Species: Quercus macrocarpa | Bur Oak