The bark of young blue oak catches fire and burns easily, providing little protection from fire. A prescribed fire was conducted on a cattle ranch in Madera County to eliminate dense brush stands. Preburn vegetation consisted of blue and interior live oaks with an understory of mixed chaparral brush. Many blue oak seedlings and mature trees were completely killed by the fire. A few new seedlings emerged at postfire year 1.
Fire also eliminates the thatch layer that inhibits establishment of aboveground germinants.
Managers should be aware of the sprouting capability of blue oak recruitment within their jurisdiction before conducting prescribed burning over large areas of blue oak woodland. Cool or low-severity fire is recommended when using fire as a managemnent tool for this species.