Invasive plants controlled by prescribed burns

[356]

Invasive plants susceptible to prescribed burns (meaning controlled fires can be used as a management tool to help control or eliminate them).
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) can be controlled, especially with winter burns
Bush Honeysuckle: A common invasive shrub that can outcompete native plants.
Sericea Lespedeza: An invasive legume that can form dense infestations--last season burns before seeds drop are best
Garlic Mustard: An invasive herbaceous plant that can spread rapidly in forest understories.
Wintercreeper: An invasive groundcover that can smother native vegetation
Late-season annual broadleaf and grass species such as Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), and Barbed Goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis) can be effectively controlled by prescribed fires in late spring/early summer. These plants produce seeds later in the season than many desirable species, making them vulnerable to fire at this time.
Biennial broadleaves like Sweetclover (Melilotus spp.) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) have also been successfully controlled with timely burning.
Perennial grasses such as most bluegrasses and smooth brome.
Japangrass or Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) can be managed using fire. Burning prescriptions for this plant include early spring burns just after germination but before the overstory trees leaf out, or late season burns in August and September before seed set.
Multiflora Rose (added after OP). A routine prescribed burn program will hinder invasion and establishment of multiflora rose.

Reminders:
Timing is crucial: For many species, the effectiveness of fire depends on burning at the right time of year and during the correct life stage of the invasive plant.
Integration with other methods: Prescribed burning is often most effective when integrated into a comprehensive vegetation management program that may also include other methods like herbicide application.
Not all invasive plants are susceptible: Some invasive species are resilient to fire or may even be promoted by it, making fire alone an ineffective or even detrimental management tool in those cases.

Please add to this list based on your experience!


View attachment 80763
Glyphosate application prior to a growing season burn....

 

[Brian662]

I've never done a timber burn but had a hedgerow along a stream burn somewhat intentionally when burning some prairie, I was pleasantly surprised how well the fire set back the buckthorn in the hedgerow.

 

[MN Slick]

I'm working with our private land biologist in North Mo right now on timber burns. MFR is the real deal on cattle pasture farms and I'm concerned it will get so thick we can't even get into some areas. Cedars are too thick in some areas as well.

It sounds like it's hard to get contractors to commit to timber burns so we need to learn the ropes. The big issue will be finding guys to help since we will need 5-6 guys.

 

[Catscratch]

Burned 30 acres of timber this spring. But, it's bordered by highway on one side and pasture that had already been burned on the other. It's spooky to do a burn like that. And there's always logs or hollow trees that stay burning for a long time. It's not a single day event, that's for sure. I lost some stuff I didn't want to loose in the burn, but gained a ton due to it.

 

[Foggy47]

I'm working with our private land biologist in North Mo right now on timber burns. MFR is the real deal on cattle pasture farms and I'm concerned it will get so thick we can't even get into some areas. Cedars are too thick in some areas as well.

It sounds like it's hard to get contractors to commit to timber burns so we need to learn the ropes. The big issue will be finding guys to help since we will need 5-6 guys.

I think that could be a good biz....."Controlled Burn Artists, Inc". Would need pretty good insurance policy and some fire trucks / pumps.

 

[Brian662]

I think that could be a good biz....."Controlled Burn Artists, Inc". Would need pretty good insurance policy and some fire trucks / pumps.

The quotes I've had for a timber burn in bluff country have been outrageous. As stated, big $$$ for insurance and having a 6 man crew isn't cheap.

 

[Catscratch]

The quotes I've had for a timber burn in bluff country have been outrageous. As stated, big $$$ for insurance and having a 6 man crew isn't cheap.

I asked our local volunteer fire department if they'd do a burn for me as a training. They said they would for a donation. $500 was suggested. But they shy'd away from doing it during spring burn season as they didn't want to be out with gear when a real call might come in. I thought that was cheap, but understood them not wanting to be tied up. A fall burn would likely be more appealing to them.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I asked our local volunteer fire department if they'd do a burn for me as a training. They said they would for a donation. $500 was suggested. But they shy'd away from doing it during spring burn season as they didn't want to be out with gear when a real call might come in. I thought that was cheap, but understood them not wanting to be tied up. A fall burn would likely be more appealing to them.

And more beneficial

 

[356]

I'm working with our private land biologist in North Mo right now on timber burns. MFR is the real deal on cattle pasture farms and I'm concerned it will get so thick we can't even get into some areas. Cedars are too thick in some areas as well.

It sounds like it's hard to get contractors to commit to timber burns so we need to learn the ropes. The big issue will be finding guys to help since we will need 5-6 guys.

Here is the list of Missouri Burn Associations. Burns will help set back MFR and cedars, although cedars definitely gave our first burn a "pucker factor" as they burn with abandon when green. While not an immediate solution, I plan to do a timber burn field day at our place in NW MO next year.

 

[356]

The quotes I've had for a timber burn in bluff country have been outrageous. As stated, big $$$ for insurance and having a 6 man crew isn't cheap.

Google "[state] burn association" and see what might be available. Some states provide cost share to burn. Missouri provides protection from liability if one is burning according to an approved burn plan.

 

[356]

Multiflora Rose....I forgot to add this to the original post (but edited). A routine prescribed burn program will hinder invasion and establishment of multiflora rose.

 

[MN Slick]

Burned 30 acres of timber this spring. But, it's bordered by highway on one side and pasture that had already been burned on the other. It's spooky to do a burn like that. And there's always logs or hollow trees that stay burning for a long time. It's not a single day event, that's for sure. I lost some stuff I didn't want to loose in the burn, but gained a ton due to it.

I think the guy who owned our farm was sponsored by Stihl. He was a maniac on hedge for fence posts resulting in a lot of treetops and brush piles. I think it would be prudent for us to burn some of the piles in the winter prior to running controlled burn but who has the time.

 

[Catscratch]

I think the guy who owned our farm was sponsored by Stihl. He was a maniac on hedge for fence posts resulting in a lot of treetops and brush piles. I think it would be prudent for us to burn some of the piles in the winter prior to running controlled burn but who has the time.

The scariest (almost lost the house) fire I've ever had was a brushpile that got out of control. Winter burn. Snow on the ground. Burned the piles with no issues. 14 days later we had 60mph winds that rolled embers up the hill, across a gravel road, and into brown grass that took off like.... wildfire! You could follow the tracks of them embers that rolled up the hill. I'm now more incline to burn brush piles while the grass is green.

 

[MN Slick]

The scariest (almost lost the house) fire I've ever had was a brushpile that got out of control. Winter burn. Snow on the ground. Burned the piles with no issues. 14 days later we had 60mph winds that rolled embers up the hill, across a gravel road, and into brown grass that took off like.... wildfire! You could follow the tracks of them embers that rolled up the hill. I'm now more incline to burn brush piles while the grass is green.

Good info on burning green. All of it scares the shiit out of me. My one experiend burning CRP was no bueno. My neighbor said he knew how to burn so we went for it. He knew how to burn alright. Burnt up the neighbors pasture and took down a power line. Luckily, the road the powerline was on stopped it.

 

[Catscratch]

Good info on burning green. All of it scares the shiit out of me. My one experiend burning CRP was no bueno. My neighbor said he knew how to burn so we went for it. He knew how to burn alright. Burnt up the neighbors pasture and took down a power line. Luckily, the road the powerline was on stopped it.

Scares the hell out of me too. I'm a big proponent of burning, but would not tell someone to do a burn if they weren't absolutely confident and equipped to handle a burn. Conditions just can change so dang fast.