This step also permits more efficient and easier movement of hand-planting crews. Prescribed fire also recycles nutrients, making them available for the next timber crop. For natural regeneration, knowledge of anticipated seed crop and date of earliest seed fall is essential. If the seed crop is inadequate, burning can be postponed. Generally, burning should be done several weeks prior to seed fall.
Timing varies with species and locality.
Improve Wildlife Habitat Prescribed burning is highly recommended for wildlife habitat management where loblolly, shortleaf, longleaf, or slash pine is the primary overstory species. Periodic fire tends to favor understory species that require a more open habitat. Deer, dove, quail, and turkey are game species that benefit from prescribed fire. Habitat preferences of several endangered species, including the Florida panther, gopher tortoise, indigo snake, and Prescribed fire can improve wildlife habitat red cockaded woodpecker are also enhanced by burning. Wildlife benefits from burning are substantial.