Effects of Date and Frequency of Burning on Southern Bayberry (myrzca Cerzfera) in Central Louisiana

--Myrica cerifera (southern bayberry or waxmyrtle) is one ofthe most common shrubs in the longleaf pine/bluestem forest type in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. During controlled burns, individual plants can burn intensely because the wax coated foliage and fruits are very flammable. However, Myrica cerifera can survive tires on frequently burned sites by resprouting vigorously from the root collar. To determine how burning influences the development of Myrica cerifera, this study compared several burning dates (1 March, I May and 1 July) and tire frequencies (one, two and three year intervals) on a site in central Louisiana. Myrica cercpra plants generally survived all burning treatments, with only two plants dying over eight growing seasons (1.3% mortality). Burning kept average shrub height at or below the initial preburn heights and significantly below the height of the nonburned plants. Final average heights and diameters of Myrica cerifera decreased significantly as the burning frequency increased and the date of burning was delayed into the growing season. Myrica ceriferu L., commonly known as waxmyrtle or southern bayberry, is a familiar evergreen shrub of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain, ranging from southern New Jersey to central Texas (Little 1979). It is also the most common shrub in the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)lbluestem (Schizachyrium and Andropogon sp.) forest type in the West Gulf Region (Grelen & Duvall 1966). On longleaf sites, Myricu cerifera competes with longleaf seedlings for water, nutrients and sunlight, but its benefits include fixing nitrogen (Grelen & Duvall 1966). Herbaceous plant production, particularly on poorly drained soils, is constantly suppressed by competition from Myrica cerifera . Although its abundant seeds are eaten by many songbirds, wild turkey and tree swallows, Myrica cerzjkru is considered an inferior food plant for white-tailed deer and a secondary food plant for bobwhite quail (Grelen & Duvall 1966; Landers & Johnson 1976; Halls 1977). Consequently, the negative qualities of Myrica cerzifera outweigh its benefits for many, and land managers generally wish to control the spread of this shrub. Prescribed burning is recommended for controlling Myrica cerferu