Prescribed Fire First-Order Effects on Oak and Maple Reproduction in Frequently Burned Upland Oak–Hickory Forests of the Arkansas Ozarks

Alteration of the fire regime in upland oak–hickory (Quercus L. spp.–Carya Nutt. spp.) forests Central Hardwood Region is a major factor for current shifts species’ composition and oak recruitment regeneration failures. The reintroduction into these ecosystems requires better understanding effects on co-occurring competitors. First-order (i.e., during immediately after) red maple (Acer rubrum L.) topkill resprouting at neighborhood scales were evaluated frequently burned forests. A groundline threshold 5 cm provided oaks with high (60%) survival probability (p < 0.001). White alba post stellata Wangenh.) odds 21 14 times higher than that = 0.01 0.03), respectively. Three twelve months after burn, had three to six more sprouts per clump maple. Frequent fires may continue maples, while maintaining dominance reproduction pool and, thus, providing potential overstory. Burns behavior very low systems provide greater control favoring selecting against maple, especially if diameter thresholds are considered.