Fire Can Reduce Thorn Damage by the Invasive Callery Pear Tree

Callery pear ( Pyrus calleryana ) is an invasive tree across much of the eastern United States that can form dense thickets, and branches stems are often covered in sharp thorns. Landowners land managers attempting to manage callery infestations faced with challenge killing and/or removing trees while also avoiding thorn damage equipment, which lead wasted time increased costs. We evaluated fire as management tool reduce likelihood equipment from Branches were collected field killed by herbicide, untreated trees, half each group then burned a propane garden torch simulate low-intensity prescribed fire. After treatment, all returned either old or forest floor for 1 year, after puncture strength was compared freshly cut Herbicide treatment location did not affect strength, but burning reduced thorns would tire. Fire tip width, sharpness. Burning wood fungi proliferated on year forest. Both factors likely contributed decreasing probability puncture. Our results show using weaken dull their tips, reducing chance costs associated clearing this species. Leaving ground fungal colonization, may damage. Prescribed be part effective integrated plan this, possibly other, thorny flora.