FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix lasiandra | Pacific Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Severe fires can completely remove organic soil layers leaving willow
roots exposed and charred, thus eliminating basal sprouting [26,47].
However, severe fires probably occur infrequently in the moist habitats
occupied by Pacific willow.  Specific information regarding the effects
of fire on Pacific willow is lacking.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
The postfire sprouting capabilities of Pacific willow are not known
[17].  However, most willows sprout following fire [26].  Pacific willow
is a prolific seeder, and off-site plants are important as a seed source
for revegetating burned areas [47].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Vegetatative sampling following three summer wildfires in the North
Cascades National Park complex showed that Pacific willow frequency and
cover increased dramatically due to the establishment of numerous
seedlings.  Values were as follows [28]:

           Postfire year 1     Postfire year 2     Postfire year 4
           % Freq  % Cover     % Freq  % Cover     % Freq  % Cover

Burn #1       0       0         44       trace       92      2.8
Burn #2       0       0         34.8       .4        86.9    5.1
Burn #3       0       0         97        8.9        97      16.2

Maximum height of these Pacific willow seedlings was 18 inches (45 cm)
during postfire year 2, 49 inches (125 cm) during postfire year 3, and
79 inches (200 cm) during postfire year 4 [28].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Pacific willow usually occurs along streambanks which frequently act as
natural firebreaks [9].

Related categories for Species: Salix lasiandra | Pacific Willow