Survival of northern red oak acorns after fall burning

L.R. Auchmoody; H. Clay Smith; H. Clay Smith

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-678

Treesearch

Survival of northern red oak acorns after fall burning

Informally Refereed

Authors:

L.R. Auchmoody, H. Clay Smith, H. Clay Smith

Year:

1993

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-678

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-678. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.

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Download (PDF 622 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/20780.pdf

Abstract

Survival of recently fallen northern red oak acorns after exposure to a cool fall burn was evaluated in northwestern Pennsylvania. Although no acorns were consumed by the fire, some were charred. Between 40 and 49 percent of the acorns in the litter were destroyed. The fire was not hot enough to kill Curculio larvae within the acorns. Burned acorns infested with Curculio that survived the fire had 20 percent lower germination rates than unburned acorns.

Keywords

Fire, northern red oak, acorn damage, Curculio

Citation

Auchmoody, L.R.; Smith, H. Clay. 1993. Survival of northern red oak acorns after fall burning. Res. Pap. NE-678. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.