Pond Pine: Intense Fire Adaptations

Pond pine is perhaps the southern pine most tolerant of intense fires and unlike other southern pines, will reproduce vegetatively. Pond pines are known to tolerate crown scorch and when branches are killed by intense fire will re-sprout from buds along the main stem (epicormic buds) to produce new branches. Pond pine can also sprout from the root collar if the entire aboveground stem is killed (Wade and Ward 1973).

In addition to tolerating intense fires, pond pine is like other southern pines in that regeneration is tied to fire. Today, most extensive pond pine stands date to wildfires (Bramlett 1990). Like sand pine, pond pine produces serotinous cones that remain closed until heated. Upon heating to approximately 160°C – 170°C (330°F - 335°F) cones open releasing seeds (Bramlett 1990). Heat produced by intense fires does not appear to damage germination rates. Pond pine is shade intolerant and thus grows better where competition is reduced (Bramlett 1990). Fires then play a role in seedling establishment and growth by removing other competing plants thereby creating a more favorable environment for pond pine establishment and growth.

(See Plants of Pocosins and Shrub Bogs: Adaptations to Fire for a discussion of shrub adaptation to fire).