FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Pinus sabiniana | Gray Pine 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Moderate-severity fire kills a substantial number of gray pine.  The
prescribed fire in Glenville (see Fire Ecology or Adaptations) killed 83
percent of gray pine present.  All surviving gray pine were large trees
[35].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Information regarding postfire recovery of gray pine is sparse.  Keeley
[30] reported a gray pine seedling density of 133 per acre (54/ha)
following a wildfire of unreported severity at Bartlett Springs, Lake
County.  Percentage cover provided by gray pine in a blue oak-gray pine
community often decreases when fires are frequent.  Many blue oak
ecotypes sprout following fire, and under a regime of frequent fire,
rapidly growing blue oak sprouts interfere with gray pine seedling
growth [16,26].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Gray pine is increasing in blue oak-gray pine communities due to fire
suppression and lack of blue oak regeneration [14].  Rangeland managers
are reporting an increase of chaparral brush invading grassy
understories of blue oak-gray pine woodlands, also because of fire
suppression [8].  Timber species are invading the woodlands as well
[26].  Prescribed burning would help restore the blue oak-Digger pine
community to a more desirable species balance.  Managers, however,
should be alerted to the regeneration capacity of blue oak ecotypes
within their area.  See the blue oak FEIS write-up for further
information.

Fire managers recommend broadcast burning of blue oak-gray pine
woodlands in spring after grasses have dried, usually late May, or in
fall after the first rains.  Fires are set with drip torches and
permitted to burn downslope.  There should be little or no wind.
Recommended relative humidity range during spring is 30 to 35 percent;
recommended ambient air temperature is between 70 to 80 degrees
Fahrenheit (21-27 deg C).  In fall, recommended relative humidity is 25
to 30 percent.  Fall temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24
deg C) are suggested [1].

If the woodlands contain a chaparral understory, upslope strip burning
during winter and early spring is recommended.  At this time, chaparral
brush is fully green and grass shoots are from 2 to 3 inches (0.8-1.2
cm) high.  Acceptable ranges of humidity are from 25 to 30 percent;
acceptable temperature ranges are from 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
(21-24 deg C) [1].

Dwarf-mistletoe is eliminated from an infected area following a
stand-replacing fire [31].

Bark beetles (Arhopalus asperatus) have been observed attacking severely
scorched gray pine within hours following fire [45].

Related categories for Species: Pinus sabiniana | Gray Pine