Burns conducted in September and October after the last needle flush, but before bud dormancy may result in?

Burns conducted in September and October after the last needle flush, but before bud dormancy may result in?

• A. Tree growth spurts
• B. Tree death
• C. Insect outbreaks
• D. No effect

Answer: (B)

Burning after the needle flush but before buds go dormant places trees in a growth-active state, with living cambial tissue still near the surface. The cambium is the working tissue that generates the new vascular tissues (phloem and xylem) and keeps the tree connected to its roots. A heat pulse from a fall burn can damage or kill that cambial layer around the trunk. If the cambium is harmed, the tree can no longer transport water and nutrients to the growing canopy, leading to death rather than recovery. Once buds are fully dormant, the cambium is less vulnerable and the tree has a better chance to survive fires. That’s why this timing can result in tree death. The other options don’t fit because the injury isn’t supportive of growth spurts, doesn’t inherently cause insect outbreaks, and it certainly isn’t without effect.

Burning after the needle flush but before buds go dormant places trees in a growth-active state, with living cambial tissue still near the surface. The cambium is the working tissue that generates the new vascular tissues (phloem and xylem) and keeps the tree connected to its roots. A heat pulse from a fall burn can damage or kill that cambial layer around the trunk. If the cambium is harmed, the tree can no longer transport water and nutrients to the growing canopy, leading to death rather than recovery. Once buds are fully dormant, the cambium is less vulnerable and the tree has a better chance to survive fires. That’s why this timing can result in tree death. The other options don’t fit because the injury isn’t supportive of growth spurts, doesn’t inherently cause insect outbreaks, and it certainly isn’t without effect.