Archived: Prescribed Fire Effects on Oak Timber Value

Prescribed Fire Effects on Oak Timber Value

July 20

Presenter: Joe Marschall, University of Missouri Tree-Ring Lab

Coauthors: Michael Stambaugh, Benjamin Knapp

Throughout much of the eastern U.S., prescribed fire is increasingly being applied to manage oak communities including glades, savannas, woodlands, and forests. Prescribed fire can be effective for decreasing woody stems, consuming fuels, opening forest canopies, promoting fire-tolerant tree and shade-intolerant herbaceous species, and restoring plant and animal species of conservation concern. Along with increased use, prescribed burn unit sizes have also trended upward (i.e., landscape-scale), and consequently, fires more frequently burn across sites containing merchantable trees with significant timber product value. Currently, there is much debate about whether applying prescribed fire and managing for timber products are mutually exclusive practices.

This webinar will discuss recent studies from Missouri that have evaluated fire effects on oak timber values. Fire effects will be considered at multiple scales: 1) damage to residual trees, and 2) changes in stand volume and species composition.

Examples of integration of prescribed fire and timber management practices will be provided and a framework for evaluating compatibility of these seemingly competing management objectives will be discussed.

To view the recording there are two options:

1) Register using this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2741191731542926851

2) Or stream through the consortium's Vimeo page, where you can find this talk and more on oak savanna and woodland management.