Resprouting dynamics suggest different regeneration strategies for shortleaf pine and oak species following surface fires in Missouri Ozarks
| Authors: | Hope Fillingim, Benjamin O. Knapp, John M. Kabrick, Michael C. Stambaugh, Grant P. Elliott, Daniel C. C. Dey |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.123396 |
| Source: | Forest Ecology and Management |
Abstract
Prescribed burning is a common management tool for both shortleaf pine and associated oak species, as they can resprout following top-kill and are adapted to frequent surface fire regimes. In Missouri, shortleaf pine often occurs with oaks in mixedwood ecosystems, though its prevalence is diminished from historic levels. With interest in restoring shortleaf pine, research is needed on specific strategies for using prescribed fire to promote shortleaf pine in mixed pine-oak ecosystems. We studied the survival and resprouting of shortleaf pine and oaks of different sizes following a prescribed burn in Missouri. Our results affirm the patterns of increasing stem size reducing the likelihood of top-kill and of greater fire intensity increasing the likelihood of top-kill for both shortleaf pine and oaks. We found that shortleaf pine can resist top-kill at a lower basal stem diameter threshold than oaks and that shortleaf pine and oaks differ in post-resprouting resource allocations, with shortleaf pine growing numerous shorter sprouts and oaks growing fewer taller sprouts. We suggest the use of well-timed prescribed burning to release shortleaf pine from oak competition and improve its viability in mixed pine-oak systems.