OCCURRENCE OF SPROUTS AND SEEDLINGS OF PINYON PINES, ALLIGATOR JUNIPERS, AND GRAY OAKS FOLLOWING HARVEST OF FUELWOOD AND PRESCRIBED BURNING

Abstract Objectives were to determine number and height of sprouts and seedlings following clearcutting of a mesa dominated by pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) and alligator junipers (Juniperus deppeana) in southwestern New Mexico and to determine effects of prescribed burning for control of sprouts and seedlings. No stump of pinyon pine sprouted. Nearly 50% of stumps of alligator junipers sprouted with most occurring in plots with slash removed; the fewest and tallest sprouts occurred in plots with slash uniformly scattered following clearcutting. Nearly 25% of stumps of gray oaks (Quercus grisea) sprouted. Burning in the same year as clearcutting did not affect sprouting of gray oaks as much as other treatments. Not burning clearcuts and leaving slash scattered resulted in the fewest sprouts, and shortest sprouts of gray oaks occurred in plots with slash removed. Seedlings of pinyon pines, alligator junipers, and gray oaks were most prevalent in uncut control plots. Some seedlings of alligator junipers were ...