FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Quercus phellos | Willow Oak 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Willow oak is easily damaged by fire.  Seedlings and saplings are
usually top-killed by low-severity fire.  Large trees are top-killed by
high-severity fire [30].  In a study on the Santee Experimental Forest
in South Carolina, periodic winter and summer low-severity fires and
annual winter and summer low-severity fires were effective at reducing
the number of hardwood stems (including willow oak) between 1 and 5
inches (2.6-12.5 cm) in d.b.h.  Annual summer fires also reduced the
number of stems less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in d.b.h.  Root systems were
weakened and eventually killed by burning during the growing season [39].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Young willow oak sprouts readily from the root collar if top-killed by
fire.  Older trees do not sprout as readily [30].

Fire may severely wound surviving trees.  The tree may appear normal
immediately following the fire except for discolored bark, but cracks in
the bark develop after 1 year.  Insects and fungi attack the tree and
the bark sloughs off in about 2 years [35].  The average rate of spread
of fungal rot in fire-scarred willow oak is 1.25 feet (0.4 m) per decade
[36].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Hardwoods growing within a pine forest are often controlled with
prescribed fire.  Oaks up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) in d.b.h. are usually
top-killed and sprouts kept small and controllable with prescribed
winter fires.  Summer fires are also effective, but are more detrimental
to the wildlife food supply [4].  If willow oak is being grown
commercially, protection from fire is highly desirable [35].

Because willow oak leaves and habitat are often moist, fuels should be
allowed to dry at least 3 weeks following a rain of 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) or
more.  Some fires will not carry even under ideal conditions of less
than 4 percent fuel moisture, 20 to 30 percent relative humidity, and 2
mile (3.2 km) per hour winds within the stand.  The most effective
prescribed burning is done between late spring and early winter [33].

Related categories for Species: Quercus phellos | Willow Oak