FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Morus rubra | Red Mulberry 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Red mulberry is apparently excluded from certain forest communities by
periodic fire [18].  In Oklahoma red mulberry is reported as a minor
component of post oak-blackjack oak forests that have developed from
post oak savanna in the absence of fire.  Red mulberry was not listed as
a member of the savanna community, which has experienced periodic fire
[14].  In Florida, a pine (Pinus spp.)-red oak (Quercus rubra)-hickory
(Carya spp.) community is maintained in open condition by periodic fire.
This community succeeds to red oak, other fire-intolerant hardwoods, and
red mulberry when fire is excluded.  In these forests red mulberry is
often found in very old, seldom-burned stands [18].  In Kansas,
chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)-bur oak (Q. macrocarpa) gallery
forests are maintained by periodic fire.  Shade tolerant trees including
red mulberry have established where fire is suppressed.  Hackberry
(Celtis occidentalis) and elms will eventually replace the oaks if
current conditions continue.  Red mulberry will probably remain a minor
component of the fire-free forests [27].

Red mulberrybye colonizes postfire stands when moisture conditions are
favorable [25].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/soboliferous species root sucker
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Morus rubra | Red Mulberry