Melaleuca and Fire A growing menace

Melaleuca and Fire A growing menace. . . Michael Weston Senior Forester Florida Division of Forestry

Objectives o o Reasons Melaleuca is fire adapted Problems with Melaleuca fires Effects of Melaleuca fires Strategies to mitigate dangers

Run of the mill streets. . . “Doghair melaleuca”

Is this your home or project? A r e Y ou A t R I s k ?

Melaleuca is Fire Adapted o o o Thick, papery bark (2 -3 inches thick) n Protects tree n Conducts fire to crown Volatile oils in crown n Supports crown fire in dense stands Spotting n n Airborne pieces of burning bark, debris 2 mile maximum, 1 mile normal Ignition source for more fuel/buildings Big problem with damaged buildings

Melaleuca compacts with fire o Epicormic sprouts n Dormant buds-weeks o Growth from roots/root collar o Prolific seeding n o Delayed to survive fire Seed germination on mineral soil

Melaleuca is now additional carrier of fire Higher fuel height • Grows faster • More volatile • Connects palmetto understory to firesensitive pine overstory Normal fuel height

The problem with Melaleuca o Thick, black smoke n Respiratory problems n Low visibility o o o Interferes with auto, air travel Low mortality after intense fire allows stands to grow again quickly, and increase density. n Other plants destroyed or heavily set back. n Epicormic branches (flowers) n Use of existing roots Suppression is difficult and dangerous. n Dense stands limit equipment movement o n n FF’s stay on side of caution Melaleuca fuels require little pre-heating time. Moves with the wind (speed).

Post Hurricane Charley

The Impact of Melaleuca Stand Fires (FGCU) (Click on image to start video)

Spotting advances fire, complicates suppression attempts

§ Pines died within 6 months of fire § Melaleuca survived

The aftermath: 6 months later Regrowth: Melaleuca seedlings

Mitigating risks o Remove melaleuca from around your house/complex to a distance of atleast 30 feet. n o o Monitor and manage regrowth Thin melaleuca to reduce probability of crown fires, amount of spots. Repair holes in siding/roof.

Mitigating risks o Screen exposed areas that may trap floating embers. o Trim branches at least 10 feet from house. o Clean debris off roof/out of gutters. o Clearly mark your address. o Plus many, many more. . . www. firewise. org for more information

Summary o o Melaleuca is fire adapted in many ways. Fires in Melaleuca present difficult suppression problems. Melaleuca fires can be destructive. You can help safeguard the safety of your family, home, and property.

Additional Information and Resources o Florida Division of Forestry n (239) 690 -3500 Lee, Collier, Hendry Counties n Mitigation specialist n Forester n o Firewise communities n www. firewise. org Informative Presentations available for Groups on request

References o o o o o Bryson, John. Interview on 2/5/05. Florida Division of Forestry Firefighter. Ewel, J. J. 1986. Invasibility: Lessons from south Florida. In: Mooney, Harold A. ; Drake, James A. , eds. Ecology of biological invasions of North America and Hawaii. Ecological Studies 58. New York: Springer-Verlag: 214 -230. Flowers, J. D. 1991. Subtropical fire suppression in Melaleuca quinquenervia. Pp. 151158. In: Center, T. D. , R. F. Doren, R. L. Hofstetter, R. L. Myers, and L. D. Whiteaker, (eds. ). Proc. Symp. Exotic Pest Plants, Nov. 2 -4, 1988, Miami, Fl. NPS/NREVER/NRTR-91/06 Tech. Rept. , US Dept. Int. , Nat. Park Serv. , Denver, CO. La. Cavera, Gerry. Interview on 2/5/05. Florida Division of Forestry Mitigation Specialist. Myers, R. L. 1983. Site susceptibility to invasion by the exotic tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in southern Florida. . Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 645 -658. Myers, R. L. 2000. Fire in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Pages 161 -173. in Brown, James K. ; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42 -vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Wade, D. D. 1981. Some melaleuca-fire relationships including recommendations for homesite protection. Pp. 29 -35 In: R. K. Geiger, (ed). Proc. Melaleuca Symp. Sept. 23 -24, 1980, Edison Comm. Coll. , Ft. Myers. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Cons. Serv. , Div. Forestry, Tallahassee. Wade, Dale; Ewel, John; Hofstetter, Ronald. 1980. Fire in south Florida ecosystems. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-17. Asheville, NC: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 125 p. Weston, Michael. Senior Forester, Florida Division of Forestry Personal Observations 2005.