In 20-year-old longleaf pine, we examined short-term effects of reduced live leaf area (A L ) via canopy scorching on sap flow (Q; kg H 2 O h -1 ), transpiration per unit leaf area (E L ; mm day -1 ), stem CO 2 efflux (R stem ; lmol m -2 s -1 ) and soil CO 2 efflux (R soil ; lmol m -2 s -1 ) over a 2-week period during early summer. R stem and Q were measured at two positions (1.3-m or BH, and base of live crown-BLC), and R soil was measured using 15 opensystem chambers on each plot. E L before and after treatment was estimated using Q measured at BLC with estimates of A L before and after scorching. We expected Q to decrease in scorched trees compared with controls resulting from reduced A L . We expected R stem at BLC and BH and R soil to decrease following scorching due to reduced leaf area, which would decrease carbon supply to the stem and roots. Scorching reduced A L by 77%. Prior to scorching, Q at BH was similar between scorch and control trees. Following scorching, Q was not different between control and scorch trees; however, E L increased immediately following scorching by 3.5-fold compared to control trees. Changes in E L in scorched trees corresponded well with changes in VPD (D), whereas control trees appeared more decoupled over the 5-day period following treatment. By the end of the study, R stem decreased to 15-25% in scorched trees at both stem positions compared to control trees. Last, we found that scorching resulted in a delayed and temporary increase in R soil rather than a decrease. No change in Q and increased E L following scorching indicates a substantial adjustment in stomatal conductance in scorched trees. Divergence in R stem between scorch and control trees suggests a gradual decline in stem carbohydrates following scorching. The absence of a strong R soil response is likely due to non-limiting supplies of root starch during early summer.