FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Pinus monticola | Western White Pine 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire of any intensity will damage the cambium layer of young trees,
usually resulting in death of the tree [12].

In a mature western white pine stand, a cool fire will kill scattered
trees, while only scarring others.  However,the fire scars provide a
vector for butt rots to enter the tree [46].  Moderate to severe fire in
a mature western white pine stand results in cambium damage and
crowning, which usually results in the death of the tree [56].

The large amount of humus in western white pine forests renders the
trees susceptible to death from heating of the roots [12].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
After a stand-replacing fire, western white pine will seed in from
adjacent areas [17].  After a cool to moderate fire that leaves a mosaic
of mineral soil and duff, western white pine will reoccupy the site from
seed stored in the seed bank [29].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Western white pine is a fire-dependent, seral species.  Fire supression
and white pine blister rust have decreased western white pine stocking
from 44 percent in 1941 to 5 percent in 1979 [11].  Periodic,
stand-replacing fire or other disturbance is needed to remove competing
conifers and allow western white pine to develop in early seres
[5,8,11,67].

Slash burning:  Dry sites in the western white pine forest type respond
poorly to slash burning, while moist sites respond favorably [24].
Stark [57] provides information on how to estimate nutrient losses from
the harvest and slash burning of a western white pine stand.  The use of
chemical retardent around leave trees in selective cuts has been found
to be effective in reducing cambium damage when slash concentrations are
light or moderate [51].

For effective fire hazard abatement the recommended Federal slash hazard
index is 11 when planning a prescribed fire in western white pine slash.
An index of less than 9 will provide little reduction, and greater than
12 generates risk of fire escape [39].  Reinhardt and others [49]
provide information on prescribed fire, slash disposal, duff
consumption, and management considerations after harvest in western
white pine stands in northern Idaho.

Wildlife:  Prescribed fire has been recommended in western white pine
stands to maintain areas of abundant browse for elk [31].

Other:  After wildfire it is recommended that salvage operations begin
within the first 2 years [46].  Peterson and Ryan [42] have developed a
model based on site, fire, and silvicultural information to predict
conifer mortality after wildfire for long-term planning.

Related categories for Species: Pinus monticola | Western White Pine