The effect of degree of crown scorch on basal area increment of Eucalyptus obliqua in west-central Victoria.  J. D. Kellas and R. O. Squire.  December 1980.  9 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

Following a wildfire in a stand of Eucalyptus obliqua L’Herit. (messmate stringybark) near Barkstead, Victoria in November 1972, a study was established to monitor the basal area increment (BAI) of individual trees. For crown damage classes, based on the proportion of crown length scorched, were used as an index of the severity of burning.

BAI of stems with more than 50% crown scorch was significantly less than that of unburnt stems 2.6 years later, but after a further 0.8 and 3.2 years no significant differences were observed. However, total BAI of trees with 50-90% initial crown scorch was significantly less than that for unburnt stems throughout the 6.5 years of measurement.

This initial short-term effect represents a reduction in predicted BAI per hectare of at least 50% during the first three years after burning and of approximately one third after 6.5 years, for trees with more than 50% of crown scorch. The latter represents volume and royalty losses of approximately 3.8 m³ and $47 per hectare.

Also published:

Kellas, J.D., Incoll, W.D. and Squire, R.O. (1984)  Reduction in basal area increment of Eucalyptus obliqua following crown scorch.  Aust. For. 47 (3): 179-83.