FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Platanus occidentalis | Sycamore 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Sycamore is a member of bottomland hardwood communities that do not
usually experience crown fires.  Fire seasons occur approximately every
5 to 8 years; summer droughts extended into fall create conditions for
ground and surface fires which can cause damage and mortality.
Bottomland fires usually move rapidly along the surface, consuming
shrubs and herbs and usually killing all tree reproduction under about
10 years of age.  Larger trees suffer bark scorch which causes wounds
that create points of entry for rots, stains, and insects; this results
in reduced vigor and delayed mortality.  Under extreme conditions large
trees may be killed outright [61].

The only reported occurrence of sycamore in a historically
fire-maintained community is its presence in low numbers on a blue
ash-oak (Fraxinus quadrangulata-Quercus spp.) savanna in Kentucky.  It
was not stated whether the presence of sycamore was synchronous with
frequent surface fires, or if it became established in this area since
the cessation of fire [15].


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

Related categories for Species: Platanus occidentalis | Sycamore