Abstract Gambel oak is frequently found as a highly competitive understory species in southwestern ponderosa pine stands. Prescribed fires were conducted in the spring, summer, and fall on a ponderosa pine-Gambel oak site to test the potential for oak control at various times of the year. One-half of the plots were burned only once, while the rest were burned a second time, 2 years later. One burn generally resulted in large (100-150 percent) oak density and (10-40 percent) frequency increases, and only temporary cover decreases. A second burn in either the spring or fall failed to reduce the large number of oak sprouts. In contrast, a second midsummer burn resulted in reductions of 20 percent density, 16 percent frequency, and 12 percent cover. This should reduce the competitive status of the oak, favoring pine growth and natural pine regeneration. Forest Sci. 31:156-163.
Mick Harrington (Fri,) studied this question.