FIRE CASE STUDIES
SPECIES: Lithocarpus densiflora | Tanoak 



CASE NAME : 
Mixed conifer - Sierra Nevada


REFERENCES : 
1.  Kaufmann, J. B.; Martin, R. E. 1985 [18]
2.  Kauffman, J. B.; Martin, R. E. 1985 [19]


SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION : 
early spring/moderate
late spring/high
early fall/high
late fall/moderate
 


STUDY LOCATION : 
This prescribed burn took place in the Challenge Experimental Forest on
the LaPorte Ranger District, Plumas National Forest.  The study site was
located approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of Callenge,
California.


PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY : 
Preburn overstory was dominated by ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and
sugar pine.  Common understory associates included black oak, incense
cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), and bear clover (Chamaebatia foliolosa).
The site is described as productive.


TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE : 
     burn                        phenological state

early spring burns               prior to period of active growth

late spring burns                coincided with period of active
                                 leaf growth and stem expansion

early fall burns                 aboveground shrub growth has ceased

late fall burns                  leaf abscission was occurring in
                                 deciduous shrubs


SITE DESCRIPTION : 
Elevation:  3,280 feet (1,000 m)
Aspect:  generally west
Slope: 1 to 12 percent
Site index productivity class:  I to III



FIRE DESCRIPTION : 
season                   early       late      early      late
                         fall        fall      spring     spring

duff consumption %       93.6        83.4      91.6       69.7
duff consumption t/ha    111.2       105.8     111.3      72.3
total fuel consumption % 92.1        77.5      82.4       56.2
total fuel consump. t/ha 148.2       117.2     135.8      69.2
duff moisture %          15.7        43.4      30.9       119.5
soil moisture %          11.1        22.3      25.7       44.1
flame length cm          30.5        56.3      97.1       70.9
fireline intensity
  (kj m -1 s -1)         21.2	     85.9      272.7      125.8
residence time sec.      47.8        51.2      83.6       55.9



FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES : 
Density of tanoak (numbers/ha) before and after burning are as follows:

                     preburn       postburn
early spring          2,801         1,400**
late spring           1,934           167**
early fall            1,234           233*
late fall             1,934           600*

 * P <0.10
** P <0.05


FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS : 
Prescribed, preharvest underburning can be an effective method of
controlling tanoak.  Greatest tanoak mortality generally occurs
following high consumption burns irregardless of season of burn.
Increased mortality can be expected when high consumption burns coincide
with seasons of active growth.  Late spring (June), high consumption
burns produced highest shrub mortality.  This Sierra Nevada site tends
toward the dry end of the moisture range.

Related categories for Species: Lithocarpus densiflora | Tanoak