Please refer also to the Value and Use section of this report for further information. Logging and fire create conditions favorable for germination, and numerous seeds germinate simultaneously, even where parent plants are no longer present. Later seedlings presumably respond to increased heat absorption by the exposed soil rather than the initial heat generated by fire. Those that are still alive by the 2nd growing season generally survive. Early growth of redstem ceanothus is often rapid.
Apical dominance plays an important role in determining the location and extent of sprouting.
Dormant buds on the root crown sprout after aboveground vegetation is completely removed. Where portions of the upper stem remain intact, stems commonly resprout. Burning or logging followed by burning led to a higher percent cover of redstem ceanothus than logging alone, which led to a higher percent cover of oceanspray. Annual variation in phenological development has been reported.