Using Prescribed Fire to Prepare Sites for Seeding or Planting

Prescribed burning is useful when regenerating southern pine by direct seeding, planting, or natural regeneration. On open sites, fire alone can expose adequate mineral soil and control competing vegetation until seedlings become established. Where competing vegetation cannot be adequately reduced by fire, mechanical or chemical treatment can be used in conjuction with burning. The fire will improve visibility so that equipment operators can more easily see the stumps of the harvested trees, as well as any other hazards. In addition, if the area is to be bedded before planting, burning first consumes much of the debris. The result is more tightly packed beds and thus better seedling survival. Where herbicides are used to kill competition, subsequent burning will give additional vegetation control. This step also permits more efficient and easier movement of hand-planting crews. Prescribed fire also recycles nutrients, making them available for the next timber crop.

For natural regeneration, knowledge of anticipated seed crop and date of earliest seed fall is essential. If the seed crop is inadequate, burning can be postponed. Complete mineral soil exposure is not necessary or desirable; a thin layer of litter should remain to protect the soil. Generally, burning should be done several weeks prior to seed fall. Timing varies with species and locality.