Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) Response to Fire in a Managed Prairie Ecosystem

Abstract

Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.) was introduced to North America as an ornamental tree in the early 1900s. Due to widespread planting, P. calleryana has become common throughout the eastern United States and has invaded natural areas, especially disturbed areas. Prescribed fire is a common management technique in prairie ecosystems to mimic natural disturbances. We tested the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a control technique for P. calleryana in a managed prairie system. Fire top-killed all established P. calleryana individuals. However, these individuals responded to fire with 3 to 4 epicormic sprouts each. Similar sprouting behavior occurred in 2-yr-old seedlings. Exposed seeds, fruits, and 1-yr-old seedlings were killed by fire. Established P. calleryana were single-stemmed individuals before exposure to fire. After the prescribed fire, they all were multistemmed, which increased the potential flower-bearing stems within the prairie. We conclude that fire alone is not a suitable technique for managing P. calleryana invasion. Cut and herbicide application methods are labor-intensive. However, combining cut and spray methods with prescribed fire may be effective. Fire removes standing grass and forb biomass, leaving exposed P. calleryana stems, which would make locating individuals and directly applying herbicides easier.

Microsatellite Loci Reveal High Genetic Diversity, Mutation, and Migration Rates as Invasion Drivers of Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) in the Southeastern United States

“…calleryana are reported to be distributed in at least 33 US states ( EDDMapS, 2021 ). The species is predicted to have the potential of becoming one of the most problematic invasive plants in the United States ( Culley et al, 2011 ; Warrix and Marshall, 2018 ; Coyle et al, 2021 ; Sapkota et al, 2021 ).…”

“…However, this only may be feasible across smaller areas such as urban environments or local plantations. Although prescribed burning is comparatively more cost-effective, this treatment results in increased resprouting of P. calleryana ( Warrix and Marshall, 2018 ). We lack effective and economically feasible management options for P .…”

Microsatellite Loci Reveal Genetic Diversity of Asian Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) in the Species Native Range and in the North American Cultivars

“…Naturalized P. calleryana trees can be found in 33 states [16,17] and due to expanding populations of naturalized trees, P. calleryana has been listed, or watch-listed, as an invasive species in many USA states [9,12,20]. Pyrus calleryana can potentially become one of the most problematic invasive species in the USA [21]. hence, there is need for understanding genetic contributions to invasiveness as a means to develop effective management plans and strategies that can mitigate or limit the spread of P. calleryana.…”

Fire Can Reduce Thorn Damage by the Invasive Callery Pear Tree

“…A hotter fire, or a fire that burned for a longer duration, would likely further decrease the probability of puncture by reducing wood strength (Bartlett et al, 2019). Many factors influence fire behavior, and in a field setting these would include ignition technique (head fire, or a fire that advances with the wind; backing fire, or a fire that advances into the wind; or flanking fire, a fire that travels parallel to the wind), wind speed, humidity, fuel moisture, and ambient temperature (Waldrop and Goodrick, 2018). Managers have some ability to manipulate fire outcomes by burning under the conditions that produce the desired fire behavior.…”

“…Although prescribed fire is commonly used as a land management tool in the southern United States, fire alone is not a viable management option for callery pear (Warrix and Marshall, 2018). However, prescribed fire is being considered as part of a larger integrated pest management plan for callery pear, and knowing its effects on thorns may help land managers reduce damage to equipment and livestock.…”