Tree Regeneration in Oak-Pine Stands with and without Prescribed Fire in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: Management Implications

Abstract This is a case study comparing understory tree regeneration in two mixedwood stands types in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: oak‐pine treated with prescribed fire over the last half century (burned) and oak‐pine without a history of controlled burning (unburned). Understories of burned stands supported mainly desirable oak (Quercus spp.) and pine (Pinus spp.) regeneration (0.3 ft tall, <3 in. dbh), whereas the understories of unburned stands supported a greater abundance of undesirable, nonoak hardwoods (mainly sassafras [Sassafras albidum]) along with good numbers of oak regeneration and, unexpectedly, pine saplings (≥4.5 ft tall, <3 in. dbh). A regime of prescribed fire applied on an ∼6-year interval during the last half century appears to have reduced or excluded nonoak hardwoods, with the exception of hickory (Carya spp.). Maintaining oak‐pine mixtures on sites similar to the unburned stands used in this study may require silvicultural intervention.