Using Prescribed Fire to Manage Upland Hardwoods
Researchers have shown that most upland hardwood species evolved under a regime of frequent burning and that prescribed fire may be a useful tool in hardwood management (Van Lear and Waldrop 1988). However, relative to pine systems, relatively few guidelines have been developed for the using prescribed fire to regenerate upland hardwoods. The limited research on the use of fire in hardwood stands is partially due to foresters concerns about damaging stem quality in high-value stands. Yet, there are some research guidelines and evidence encouraging the application of fire for oak management in shelterwoods and after clearcutting. Fire can also aid the regeneration of yellow-poplar stands due to the species abundant seeding and seed longevity.
The following links summarize how prescribed fire is used for the management of oak and yellow poplar:
Encyclopedia ID: p584
