Leave burned trees standing if possible, say Sonoma Valley environmentalists

Even if a tree looks dead, with burned leaves and charred bark, there’s a chance it’s still healthy – especially if it’s a native oak.|

Homeowners returning to fire-damaged property may be tempted to start completely over by hauling away debris, clearing the grounds and felling the trees, but the Sonoma Ecology Center is asking for a little patience.

Even if a tree looks dead, with burned leaves and charred bark, there’s a chance it’s still healthy – especially if it’s a native oak. “California’s trees have adapted to wildfire over thousands of years,” explained Sonoma Ecology Center research program manager Caitlin Cornwall. “The bigger the oak, the thicker its bark, the greater the likelihood the tree survived.”

Tree scientists know that oaks – which make up the backbone of Sonoma Valley’s forests and woodlands – have evolved mechanisms to survive periodic burning, and suffer little long-term damage from the burning of their foliage.

For most conifers, such damage is usually lethal. But unless the tree poses an imminent danger to people or property, scientists recommend waiting at least a year after a fire to determine whether a tree is dead.

Even dead trees should be left in place, advises the Sonoma Ecology Center, as habitat for cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds and owls, acorn storage for woodpeckers, and wood-eating insects that then become bird food.

Likewise chaparral – the brushy collection of manzanita, toyon, coyote brush, chamise and other species – which actually requires fire to rejuvenate.

“On burned sites,” said Cornwall, “we have been seeing and hearing about extensive clear-cutting of scorched vegetation, including trees and shrubs that will recover.

“Remember these big trees are several times older than us people, and have already survived many wildfires,” said Cornwall. “This is just another one for them.”

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