Sprout-Origin Hardwood Reproduction DominatesAfter Multiple Prescribed Fires on the William B.Bankhead National Forest, Alabama

Callie Schweitzer; Daniel C. C. Dey; john craycroft

Treesearch

Sprout-Origin Hardwood Reproduction DominatesAfter Multiple Prescribed Fires on the William B.Bankhead National Forest, Alabama

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Callie Schweitzer, Daniel C. C. Dey, john craycroft

Year:

2022

Type:

Proceedings - Paper

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

In: Jain, Theresa B.; Schuler, Thomas M. [comp.]. 2022. Foundational concepts in silviculture with emphasis on reforestation and early stand improvement

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Download (PDF 196 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/64560.pdf

Abstract

Management problem: Widespread failure of oak regeneration and subsequent loss of the oakcomponent has been reported across Eurasia and the Americas. The oak regeneration issuehas been linked to changing disturbance regimes, including the lack of fire. Burning used incombination with stand thinning creates conditions that should be conducive to oakregeneration establishment and recruitment, including increased understory light anddecreased woody plant competition.Management need: Managers are using thinning and prescribed fire prescriptions aimed atrestoring hardwood dominance in upland pine-hardwood mixed-woods. While prescribed firehas been purported to sustain the dominance of oaks, contemporary forests have alteredspecies composition and structure and responses to these current disturbances are unknown.

Keywords

prescribed fire, National Forest, reproduction, oak, red maple, sprouting

Citation

Schweitzer, C.J.; Dey, D.C.; Craycroft, J. 2022. Sprout origin hardwood reproduction dominates after multiple prescribed fires on the William B. Bankhead National Forest, Alabama. Proc. RMRS-P-80. Ft. Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 103-107.