Prescribed Fire and Canebrakes

Although several traits of Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) make it well adapted to periodic fire (Hughes 1966), canebrakes are not commonly managed using prescribed burns in the Southeast because of the dangers associated with burns and the potential associated fauna loss.  Canebrake fires are often intense and spread rapidly; therefore they can be difficult to control.  However, in cases where prescribed fire can be safely used, the following studies can help managers to plan optimum burning intervals. 

The periodicity of fire greatly affects cane performance.  Frequent burning favors fire resistant trees and shrubs, and annual growing season burns will eliminate cane by exhausting the rhizome food reservoir (Platt and Brantley 1997).  The fire interval for giant cane was 3-5 years in colonial times, but now 10 years is recommended to keep cane most productive (Hughes 1966). 

Fuel loads reach a maximum (7 tones per acre) after 3-4 years; therefore if fire hazard reduction is desired, a shorter burn interval of 3-5 years is optimal (Hughes 1966).  Shorter return interval may also be needed during restoration to reduce woody competition. 

Winter as well as spring/summer burns are reported to improve cane vigor (Platt and Brantley 1997).  Periodic summer and annual winter burning conducted over a period of 20 years increased the herbage yield of Arundinaria in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina (Lewis and Harshbarger 1976), and spring/summer burning in Florida pinelands reestablishes the cane’s role as a natural ecotone between wetland and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) communities (Stevenson 1991).