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Martin County 104 Kehukee Park Road Williamston, NC 27892 (252) 792-1621 Phone (252) 792-2408 Fax MAP 
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Smokey Bear step back ... there are many foresters who can't wait to burn the woods! In fact, controlled fire is one of the cheapest, most effective tools available for the management of Southern pine stands. Fire can be used alone or in combination with herbicides or heavy equipment to prepare sites for pine reforestation. Pine site preparation must be done because pines do not grow well if planted or seeded beneath the heavy shade of competing hardwood trees or brush. Whether chemicals or equipment must be used prior to burning will depend on the type, size, and amount of competing vegetation present, but often fire alone is all that is necessary. If a landowner waits over two growing seasons before site preparing, it is likely that fire alone will not give adequate brush control. On the other hand, the landowner who does a good clean job of clear cutting followed within a year by site preparation often can get by with fire alone as site preparation. An added benefit of burning is the positive effect on small game habitat. Following a burn, an abundance of legumes, grasses, and seed bearing weeds quickly invade the area. Doves, quail, and rabbits will benefit most from site preparation burning. Landowners should not attempt to burn their own woodland. Controlled burning is a safe tool only if done under the proper wind, moisture, and fuel conditions. Landowners wishing burning assistance should contact the local N.C. Forest Service office. The Forest Service will visit the property, make recommendations on the type of site preparation recommended, and if site preparation burning is needed, they will do the burn for a small fee. Site preparation burning is an inexpensive practice costing from $5 to $15 per acre depending on the geographic region and size of the acreage to be burned.
Revised 2/16/2006.
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