Use of Prescribed Burning to Enhance Southern Pine Timber Production

Abstract

Abstract Prescribed burning benefits pine timber production in many ways. It can facilitate regeneration and early stand development, control unwanted vegetation, reduce loss from certain diseases, thin overdense young stands, make working in an area easier and cheaper and, perhaps, encourage increased growth and yield. In most cases it enables the management objective to be achieved at reduced cost. As with any use of prescription fire, it must be carefully and skillfully applied to minimize loss and avoid adverse environmental effects.