It is likely that fire influences B. pickeringii. Fire also stimulates a significant and rapid turnover of the seed bank population in this species. Whether or not the same would occur in B. pickeringii remains to be determined. In one situation, fire apparently has had a negative impact on B. pickeringii. Although its habitat of dry open sand is not unusual in the Pine Barrens, its distribution is very restricted.
Extant populations appear to be in good condition and producing abundant seeds.
From the standpoint of the total statewide population, however, there are relatively few plants. Succession is a serious threat to existing stands of B. pickeringii as it is to any species that has low shade tolerance and grows on exposed sand. The possibility that seed banks are present where plants no longer occur has to be considered. If fire proves essential to maintaining necessary habitat conditions, a larger land area may be needed to provide a buffer to controlled burning. Recovery of B. pickeringii in a severely degraded habitat would be poor because it occurs in nutrient-poor conditions that would hinder growth.