Fire Effects Information System

Publication information:

Wendel, G. W.; Smith, H. Clay 1986. Effects of a prescribed fire in a central Appalachian oak-hickory stand. NE-RP-594. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 8 p.

Abstract—Five years after a single prescribed fire in a second-growth central Appalachian oak-hickory stand, many overstory trees died or declined in vigor. A major reduction in butt-log quality on the residual trees was observed. Fire scars were prevalent on a large number of trees and scars showed various stages of decay, Advanced seedling and sprout reproduction increased for red maple, northern red oak, and Hickory. Overall stocking of advance reproduction of red maple, black locust, and hickory increased during the 5 years; red and chestnut oak were poorly distributed and accounted for only 3 percent of the stocking. Striped maple was the most abundant and widespread noncommercial species before and after burning. The large amount of damage to the overstory stand and failure to control the large number of noncommercial understory stems with a single prescribed fire indicate that more research is needed before fire can be recommended for use as a regeneration tool in central Appalachian hardwood stands.

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