Effects of seasonal prescribed fires on density hardwood advanced regeneration in oak-dominated shelterwood stands

Effects of seasonal prescribed fire on density of hardwood regeneration were investigated. Three mature mixed-oak (Quercus spp. L.) stands on productive sites were cut using a shelterwood technique, each forming a block of spring burn, summer burn, winter burn, and control treatments. Advance regeneration was inventoried from permanent plots before and after burning. Fires topkilled nearly all hardwood regeneration, forcing the rootstocks to sprout. All fire treatments significantly reduced red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) densities, primary competitors of oak, for at least two years, while oak density was unaffected. Hickory (Carya spp. Nuttall) responded to fire similarly to oak. The competitive position of oaks in the advance regeneration pool was enhanced by all fire treatments, spring burning providing the most benefit.

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