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To Burn or Not to Burn?

Control (or prescribed) burning is a forestry tool that many landowners like to use to prepare tracts for planting. What does burning accomplish and should you spend the money on it?

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The primary benefit of control burning is to improve planter access by reducing logging debris and vegetation. This clearing allows hand planters or machines to cover the entire area and be more accurate with tree spacing as well as make good contact between the seedling and the soil. Generally, any effects on vegetation are temporary. The brush can be top-killed by burning, but the root system remains unaffected and will generally sprout back vigorously. Occasionally, a fire will be hot enough to affect the root systems of competing vegetation. However, fire is not a substitute for chemical site preparation or herbaceous weed control. Really hot fires can have detrimental effects on the litter layer that helps prevent erosion and sheet washing on slopes and adds organic matter to the soil over time. Hot fires should be avoided for these reasons. Unless logging debris is very heavy, hand planters and machines are usually able to work around tops and brush piles and give a quality planting job with the adequate spacing of seedlings. The firelines that are typically necessary for control burning can improve access for walking and four-wheelers but must be carefully installed to prevent erosion. Seeding with grasses or wildlife beneficial plants should be considered.

The cost of control burning can range from around $10 per acre to $50 or more. Landowners should carefully consider whether this cost is necessary to get a quality planting job. Often, spending this money on weed control or improved genetics is a wiser choice, simply by invested a few more dollars per acre. Control burning can be a valuable tool but before spending that money or control burning, decide if it is essential and if another option might be a better investment in the long term.

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Hurricane Florence

To Our North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina Customers:

We continue to keep everyone in the Carolinas that has suffered the effects of Hurricane Florence in our thoughts as recovery begins. For anyone in North or South Carolina facing challenges with site prep completion or seedling orders, please contact your Reforestation Advisor to discuss your options. In South Carolina, contact Jason Watson, and in North Carolina, Thomas Jackson.

Additionally, our ArborGen Blenheim Nursery in South Carolina suffered no significant crop damage and is fully operational. They are available to advise you as needed.

“We hope this will remove some concerns for those working to recover from this storm. As a company, we will do all we can to help North and South Carolina during this time. Please contact us at (800) 642-2264 should you have any concerns or questions.”

John Pait,
VP, Sales, Marketing and Product Development
ArborGen Inc.