Predicting mortality of ponderosa pine regeneration after prescribed fire in the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Battaglia ◽  
Frederick W. Smith ◽  
Wayne D. Shepperd
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Flame Length ◽  
Black Hills ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Crown Volume ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Pine Regeneration ◽  
Related Mortality

Reduction of crown fire hazard in Pinus ponderosa forests in the Black Hills, SD, often focuses on the removal of overstorey trees to reduce crown bulk density. Dense ponderosa pine regeneration establishes several years after treatment and eventually increases crown fire risk if allowed to grow. Using prescribed fire to control this regeneration is hampered by the limited knowledge of fire-related mortality threshold values for seedlings (<1.4 m tall) and saplings (0.25 to 10 cm diameter at breast height). The present study was initiated to assess fire-related mortality of ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings on prescribed burns across the Black Hills. We established plots in several burn units after the first post-fire growing season to measure crown volume scorch, crown volume consumption, basal scorch, and ground char for ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of mortality based on tree size, flame length, and direct fire effects. Tree size, flame length, crown damage, ground char, and basal char severity were all important factors in the prediction of mortality. Observed mortality was >70% for seedlings but was only 18 to 46% for sapling-sized trees. The differences in mortality thresholds for ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings highlight their susceptibility to different damage pathways and give managers several options when designing burn prescriptions.

scholarly journals Some Lessons Learned on Early Survival and Growth of Containerized, Locally-Sourced Ponderosa Pine Seedlings in the Davis Mountains of Western Texas, US

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Lance Vickers ◽  
James Houser ◽  
James Rooni ◽  
James Guldin
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Artificial Regeneration ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Pine Regeneration ◽  
Davis Mountains ◽  
Early Survival

The ponderosa pine forests in the Davis Mountains of western Texas recently experienced a major mortality event caused, in part, by an extended regional drought that predisposed trees and stands to mortality from both western pine beetle and wildfires. The loss of many overstory pines and the scarcity of natural ponderosa pine regeneration pose a considerable challenge to restoration. A commissioned study investigated artificial regeneration using containerized ponderosa pine seedlings with multiple planting seasons and vegetation management alternatives. Early survival was statistically greater for dormant season plantings than monsoon season plantings. Vegetation management treatments influenced early growth, survival, and herbivory rates. Physical weed control, which consisted of fibrous weed mats around the base of planted seedlings, showed early advantages over some vegetation management treatments in growth, survival and herbivory deterrence, but all vegetation management treatments had similar survival and herbivory results after 2.5 years. Early survival was poor in all treatments, mainly due to herbivory, which was identified as the principal short-term obstacle to artificial regeneration of ponderosa pine in the Davis Mountains. The larger question regarding feasibility of recovery in this isolated population, particularly if local climatic conditions become increasingly unfavorable, remains.

Effect of thinning and prescribed burning on crown fire severity in ponderosa pine forests

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolie Pollet ◽  
Philip N. Omi
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Fuel Treatments ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Wildfire Hazard

Fire exclusion policies have affected stand structure and wildfire hazard in north American ponderosa pine forests. Wildfires are becoming more severe in stands where trees are densely stocked with shade-tolerant understory trees. Although forest managers have been employing fuel treatment techniques to reduce wildfire hazard for decades, little scientific evidence documents the success of treatments in reducing fire severity. Our research quantitatively examined fire effects in treated and untreated stands in western United States national forests. Four ponderosa pine sites in Montana, Washington, California and Arizona were selected for study. Fuel treatments studied include: prescribed fire only, whole-tree thinning, and thinning followed by prescribed fire. On-the-ground fire effects were measured in adjacent treated and untreated forests. We developed post facto fire severity and stand structure measurement techniques to complete field data collection. We found that crown fire severity was mitigated in stands that had some type of fuel treatment compared to stands without any treatment. At all four of the sites, the fire severity and crown scorch were significantly lower at the treated sites. Results from this research indicate that fuel treatments, which remove small diameter trees, may be beneficial for reducing crown fire hazard in ponderosa pine sites.

Ponderosa pine mortality following fire in northern Arizona

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles W. McHugh ◽  
Thomas E. Kolb
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Northern Arizona ◽  
Crown Volume

Sampling of 1367 trees was conducted in the Side wildfire (4 May 1996), Bridger-Knoll wildfire (20 June 1996) and Dauber prescribed fire (9 September 1995) in northern Arizona ponderosa pine forests (Pinus ponderosa). Tree mortality was assessed for 3 years after each fire. Three-year post-fire mortality was 32.4% in the Side wildfire, 18.0% in the Dauber prescribed fire, and 13.9% in the Bridger-Knoll wildfire. In the Dauber and Side fires, 95% and 94% of 3-year post-fire mortality occurred by year 2, versus 76% in the Bridger-Knoll wildfire. Compared with trees that lived for 3 years after fire, dead trees in all fires had more crown scorch, crown consumption, bole scorch, ground char, and bark beetle attacks. Logistic regression models were used to provide insight on factors associated with tree mortality after fire. A model using total crown damage by fire (scorch + consumption) and bole char severity as independent variables was the best two-variable model for predicting individual tree mortality for all fires. The amount of total crown damage associated with the onset of tree mortality decreased as bole char severity increased. Models using diameter at breast height (dbh) and crown volume damage suggested that tree mortality decreased as dbh increased in the Dauber prescribed fire where trees were smallest, and tree mortality increased as dbh increased in the Side and Bridger-Knoll wildfires where trees were largest. Moreover, a U-shaped dbh–mortality distribution for all fires suggested higher mortality for the smallest and largest trees compared with intermediate-size trees. We concluded that tree mortality is strongly influenced by interaction between crown damage and bole char severity, and differences in resistance to fire among different-sized trees can vary among sites.

Site-Preparation Techniques for Establishing Natural Pine Regeneration on Small Forest Properties

1987 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Cain
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Mechanical Equipment ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Pine Regeneration ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Preparation Techniques ◽  
Small Forest

Abstract Lightweight mechanical equipment, prescribed fire, herbicides, and handtools were used in various combinations to site-prepare small brush-filled openings within uneven-aged loblolly-shortleaf (Pinus taeda L.-P. echinata Mill.) pine stands in southern Arkansas. All treatments were effective in facilitating establishment of pine seedlings from natural seedfall when compared to untreated controls. Treatments tested in this study should have practical application on small forest properties. South. J. Appl. For. 11(1):41-45.

Corrigendum to: Ponderosa pine mortality following fire in northern Arizona

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles W. McHugh ◽  
Thomas E. Kolb
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Ponderosa Pine Forests ◽  
Northern Arizona ◽  
Crown Volume

Sampling of 1367 trees was conducted in the Side wildfire (4 May 1996), Bridger-Knoll wildfire (20 June 1996) and Dauber prescribed fire (9 September 1995) in northern Arizona ponderosa pine forests (Pinus ponderosa). Tree mortality was assessed for 3 years after each fire. Three-year post-fire mortality was 32.4% in the Side wildfire, 18.0% in the Dauber prescribed fire, and 13.9% in the Bridger-Knoll wildfire. In the Dauber and Side fires, 95% and 94% of 3-year post-fire mortality occurred by year 2, versus 76% in the Bridger-Knoll wildfire. Compared with trees that lived for 3 years after fire, dead trees in all fires had more crown scorch, crown consumption, bole scorch, ground char, and bark beetle attacks. Logistic regression models were used to provide insight on factors associated with tree mortality after fire. A model using total crown damage by fire (scorch + consumption) and bole char severity as independent variables was the best two-variable model for predicting individual tree mortality for all fires. The amount of total crown damage associated with the onset of tree mortality decreased as bole char severity increased. Models using diameter at breast height (dbh) and crown volume damage suggested that tree mortality decreased as dbh increased in the Dauber prescribed fire where trees were smallest, and tree mortality increased as dbh increased in the Side and Bridger-Knoll wildfires where trees were largest. Moreover, a U-shaped dbh–mortality distribution for all fires suggested higher mortality for the smallest and largest trees compared with intermediate-size trees. We concluded that tree mortality is strongly influenced by interaction between crown damage and bole char severity, and differences in resistance to fire among different-sized trees can vary among sites.

Root Development of Ponderosa Pine Seedlings in the Black Hills

Ecology ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. van Haverbeke
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Black Hills ◽  
Pine Seedlings

Silvicultural characteristics of a Scots pine stand on drift sands

1992 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Maddelein ◽  
N. Lust
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Pedunculate Oak ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Humus Layer ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Pine Regeneration

The  study of a seventy years old stand of Scots pine on drift sands proves that  Scots pine growth on these sites was and is still relatively good: average  diameter 27.6 cm, average height 19.4 m, standing volume 213 m3 and an annual increment  of 4.9 m3.ha-1.yr-1. All Scots pines  belong to the upper storey. Yet considerable differences in crown development  and vitality are observed. The current growth rate and the spontaneous  settlement of pine seedlings under canopy show the ideal conditions for the  creation of a high forest with reserves. Anyway a rotation period of more  than 70 years is recommendable.     On several places a consolidated regeneration of Scots pine seedlings under  canopy occur. Groups with a stem number of 700 to 3,500 seedlings per are, ranging  in age from 3 to 11 years and in height from 10 to 170 cm, are present. This  Scots pine regeneration has developed in a normal mor humus layer and in a  dense Deschampsia mat.      Broadleaved regeneration is not so abundant, and consists for 75 % of black  cherry. Absence of seed trees, browsing damage and the exclusive character of  black cherry are the limiting factors for the installation and survival of  valuable indigenous species, such as pedunculate oak.     Provided that black cherry is removed and that the regeneration is  protected against wild damage, it is possible to create a mixed forest  dominated by Scots pine but with a considerable admixture of indigenous  broadleaved trees. However, if black cherry will not be sufficiently  controlled, it can be expected that in a first phase black cherry will  dominate the understorey, that it will prevent the regeneration of all other  species and that, very soon, it will form an almost single-species dominated  stage in forest succession.

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