FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Celtis occidentalis | Hackberry 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
There is no direct fire effects information concerning hackberry.
Although this species has moderately thick bark (1 to 1 1/2 inches
(2.5-4cm)) when mature [31], and has been reported to sprout from small,
but not large tree stumps [21], on the Konza prairie there is evidence
that hackberry is able to survive only where fire is excluded as a
natural component of the environment [34].  Krajicek [21] reports that
hackberry is highly susceptible to fire damage, which opens the way for
wood decay organisms.  Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), a member of the
Celtis genus that morphologically and ecologically is quite similar to
hackberry, is reported to be easily injured by fire.  A light burn kills
back reproduction, and more intense burns may kill even the largest
trees and wounds others, subjecting them to serious butt rot which
advances rapidlly in this species.  However, there is some sprouting
from the root collars of fire-damaged seedlings and saplings [27].  This
information suggests that hackberry would generally not be resistant to
fire mortality.



DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 



PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Hackberry is generally thought to be intolerant to burning.  This tree
is highly susceptible to fire damage, which opens the way for wood decay
organisms [21].  Seedling and saplings are killed by fire on the Konza
prairie [34], and Krajicek [21] states that small, and rarely large
trees will sprout from stumps.  However, there is no direct information
to suggest that hackberry would sprout after burning, although
sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), a member of the Celtis genus that
morphologically and ecologically is quite similar to hackberry, is
reported to sprout from the root collars of fire-damaged seedlings and
saplings [27].

Since hackberry is a shade tolerant, late successional species
reproducing primarily under heavy shade [11,21,35], it is doubtful that
its seedlings would survive under the full sunlight conditions present
as a result of burning.

Because hackberry has moderately thick bark when mature (1 to 1 1/2
inches (2.5-4cm)) [31], it is possible that this tree could survive a low
intensity burn.  However, sugarberry is easily injured by fire, and
heavier burns may kill even the largest trees and wound others, making
them subject to serious butt rot [27].  Response and recovery time
according to fire intensity, severity, and season of the burn has not
been documented for hackberry.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
On the Konza prairie, or in other areas where hackberry is not
considered a valued species, it appears that fire can be used as a tool
to kill this tree and to convert woodlands back to their seral
successional stage, with oak (Quercus spp.) as the desired species [34].

However, in bottomland forest types where production of timber is the
primary objective, fire should not be used as a management tool [29].
Hackberry and other, more valuable timber species are susceptible to
fire damage, which opens the way for wood decay organisms [21].

Related categories for Species: Celtis occidentalis | Hackberry