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

Objectives  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? AreYouAtRIsk?AreYouAtRIsk?

Melaleuca is Fire Adapted  Thick, papery bark (2-3 inches thick) Protects tree Conducts fire to crown  Volatile oils in crown Supports crown fire in dense stands  Spotting 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  Epicormic sprouts Dormant buds-weeks  Growth from roots/root collar  Prolific seeding Delayed to survive fire  Seed germination on mineral soil

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

The problem with Melaleuca  Thick, black smoke Respiratory problems Low visibility  Interferes with auto, air travel  Low mortality after intense fire allows stands to grow again quickly, and increase density. Other plants destroyed or heavily set back. Epicormic branches (flowers) Use of existing roots  Suppression is difficult and dangerous. Dense stands limit equipment movement  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 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  Remove melaleuca from around your house/complex to a distance of atleast 30 feet. Monitor and manage regrowth  Thin melaleuca to reduce probability of crown fires, amount of spots.  Repair holes in siding/roof.

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

Summary  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  Florida Division of Forestry (239) Lee, Collier, Hendry Counties Mitigation specialist Forester  Firewise communities Informative Presentations available for Groups on request

References  Bryson, John. Interview on 2/5/05. Florida Division of Forestry Firefighter.  Ewel, J. J 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:  Flowers, J.D Subtropical fire suppression in Melaleuca quinquenervia. Pp 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.  LaCavera, Gerry. Interview on 2/5/05. Florida Division of Forestry Mitigation Specialist.  Myers, R. L Site susceptibility to invasion by the exotic tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in southern Florida.. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20:  Myers, R.L Fire in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Pages in Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds 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 Some melaleuca-fire relationships including recommendations for homesite protection. Pp In: R.K. Geiger, (ed). Proc. Melaleuca Symp. Sept ,1980, Edison Comm. Coll., Ft. Myers. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Cons. Serv., Div. Forestry, Tallahassee.  Wade, Dale; Ewel, John; Hofstetter, Ronald 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.