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Project ID: 06-4-1-01

Year: 2006

Date Started: 07/07/2006

Date Completed: 07/06/2009

Title: Low-Intensity Fires May be Adequate for Stand Replacement of Table Mountain Pine in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Project Proposal Abstract: Previous management recommendations for stand replacement of Table Mountain/pitch pine communities were based on differences observed one year after prescribed burning. Fires reaching into the crowns of trees were recommended to kill all overstory trees and leave adequate pine regeneration. Cooler fires did not kill overstory trees and hotter fires reduced pine germination. However, measurements taken in one of the original six burn units showed delayed overstory mortality for several years after burning, regardless of fire intensity, and pine seedlings survived. Stand replacement on that unit was achieved with fires of relatively low intensity. Therefore, low intensity fires may be adequate for stand replacement while achieving safety goals. The proposed work will re-measure study plots in all burn units to examine delayed overstory mortality and early stand dynamics in areas burned at each of four fire intensity levels. It will also examine the role of soil variables and pathogens in overstory mortality and competition among regenerating pines and hardwoods. Resulting structural equation models will help to explain the interactions of site, soils, diseases, and fire behavior on tree death and growth of regeneration. A better understanding of the relationship of fire prescription and hardwood mortality will allow managers to take advantage of pre-existing site and tree health conditions to reach prescription objectives.

Principal Investigator: Thomas A. Waldrop

Agency/Organization: Forest Service

Branch or Dept: SRS-Department of Forest Resources

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Co-Principal Investigator	Ralph Boerner	Ohio State University	Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology
Co-Principal Investigator	Mac A. Callaham	Forest Service	SRS-Forestry Sciences Lab-Athens GA
Co-Principal Investigator	Steven N. Jeffers	Clemson University	Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences
Co-Principal Investigator	Daniel A. Yaussy	Forest Service	NRS-Forest Health-Sustaining Forests
Federal Cooperator	Thomas A. Waldrop	Forest Service	SRS-Department of Forest Resources

Project Locations

Consortium

Appalachian

There are no project locations identified for this project.

Project Deliverables

Final Report ("Results presented in JFSP Final Reports may not have been peer-reviewed and should be interpreted as tentative until published in a peer-reviewed source.")

	ID	Type	Title
	7230	Refereed Publication	Fire and the Origin of Table Mountain Pine: Pitch Pine Communities in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
	3138	NonRefereed Publication	Early Dynamics of Table Mountain Pine Stands Following Stand Replacement Prescribed Fires of Varying Intensity
	5597	NonRefereed Publication	Early Dynamics of Table Mountain Pine Stands Following Stand Replacement Prescribed Fires of Varying Intensity
	8085	NonRefereed Publication	Delayed Mortality of Eastern Hardwoods After Prescribed Fire
	7225	NonRefereed Publication	Delayed Mortality of Eastern Hardwoods: A Function of Fire Behavior, Site or Pathology
	7231	NonRefereed Publication	A Comparison of Low and High Elevational Table Mountain Pine Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
	7232	Invited Paper/Presentation	A Comparison of Low and High Elevational Table Mountain Pine Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
	7624	Book or Book Chapter	Fire and the Ecology of Table Mountain Pine
	8074	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	A Comparison of Low and High Elevational Table Mountain Pine Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
	3139	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	Early Dynamics of Table Mountain Pine Stands Following Stand Replacement Prescribed Fires of Varying Intensity
	8083	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	Delayed Mortality of Eastern Hardwoods After Prescribed Fire
	8113	Photo	The southern Appalachian Mountains have a wildland/urban interface that is among the largest in the USA. Planning for stand replacement fires is difficult in many areas.
	8110	Photo	Abundant regeneration of Table Mountain pine occurred after all fire intensities. Most survived and overtopped the hardwood sprout competition.
	8112	Photo	TMP cones are serotinous. They open and drop seed within hours of a fire of moderate intensity.
	8111	Photo	Table Mountain pine seedlings produce viable seed as early as 4 years after burning, suggesting an adaptation to frequent low-intensity fire.
	8109	Photo	The PI tries an infrared camera to measure heat.
	8108	Photo	Crown fires were thought to be necessary for stand replacement of Table Mountain pine but proved to be excessive.
	8107	Photo	Stand replacement fires are difficult to plan and execute because they must be condicted with relatively low relative humidity.

Supporting Documents

The following supporting documents are available for this project.

Brief

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