One month ago (see previous post), we attempted a warm season burn on 29 acres of old agricultural fields in which our planted longleaf pines were being crowded by other vegetation, mainly dog fennel. Last Thursday, we checked on the progress of the longleaf pines and grasses in the field where the burn was successful.
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| Grasses under dead dog fennel - Mark Musselman |
In areas where the burning was complete, the dog fennel remains dead or absent and the grasses have pushed out new green blades.
With most of the vegetation burned away and the longleaf pine pushing out new needles of a brighter green than the grasses, the longleaf pines are more easily located than before the burn.
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| Longleaf pine growth after fire - Mark Musselman |
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| Longleaf pine growth after fire - Mark Musselman |
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| Longleaf pine growth after fire - Mark Musselman |
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| Longleaf pine growth after fire - Mark Musselman |
With the majority of the competition removed, especially the tall dog fennel, the young longleaf pine are in full sunlight and should grow rapidly over the coming months. By spring, many will have a root collar of one inch and will begin vertical growth leaving the grass stage behind. We look forward to the day when the longleaf pine stand taller than the neighboring grasses!
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