FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Quercus macrocarpa | Bur Oak 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Bur oak has a thick, fire-resistant bark at maturity [6].  Although
seedlings are often killed by fire, older trees generally survive [31].
A hot, fast fire in Minnesota oak savanna removed litter and resulted in
a dark charred surface, but did not kill mature trees [35].  Small grass
fires are relatively common in some bur oak savannas, and typically
kill only young trees [31].  In parts of northern Minnesota, mature oaks
are usually killed only by "severe" fire [6].

Seedlings may be killed by annual burning where adequate fuels are
present [29].  In some locations in Wisconsin, up to 10-year intervals
between fires may be necessary in order for fuel build-up to reach the
point where fires are hot enough to eliminate bur oak seedlings [39].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Bur oak sprouts from stumps or root crowns, even when severely damaged
by fire [31].  Pole-size or smaller trees sprout vigorously when burned,
but sprouting of larger trees is often less vigorous.  With the
exception of seedling sprouts, the quality and form of bur oak sprout
stems are relatively poor [46].

Bur oak is generally favored by fire [6,16].  It sprouts vigorously when
old growth maple-basswood (Acer spp.-Tilia spp.) forests are removed by
fire [6,31].  In many locations, unless fire or other disturbance occurs,
the bur oak seedlings are unable to compete with more shade-tolerant
species [25].  On some sites in the Black Hills, bur oak sprouts may
compete well with ponderosa pine seedlings (Pinus ponderosa), and pine
encroachment of the burned-over area is often very slow [16].  Bur oak
may grow to a large size after fire because of its competitive advantage
on these sites [6].

Annual burning on sites where trees are relatively large and adequate
fuels are present can prevent bur oak from increasing [29].  On other
sites, an interval of up to 10 years between fires may be necessary to
allow for the build-up of sufficient fuels for fire to reduce oak trees
to shrubs and eliminate tree seedlings [39].  Bur oak retained preburn
densities following fire in Wisconsin pine barrens, although hot fires
did reduce oak average size.  Average frequency of bur oak on burned
plots was 28 percent and was 16 percent on unburned plots [39].




DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Quercus macrocarpa | Bur Oak