Basic Provisions:
- Available statewide
- For loblolly or shortleaf stands only
- Practice is needed to control competing vegetation and should promote stand health and vigor
- High risk stand for SPB:
110+ sq. ft. per acre or greater than 700 trees per acre
- One third (or more) of the stems in the stand must be hardwood
- At least 1/2 of the pine must be loblolly or shortleaf
- Only winter burning is authorized (December through March)
- Prescribed burn should be a backing fire resulting in little to no crown scorch
- Areas with severe crown scorch will be deducted from the payment acreage
- No Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) stands
- 10+ acres
Approval of cost share funding does not imply that the Georgia Forestry Commission or the U.S.D.A. Forest Service accepts liability for any prescribed burning.
Prescribed burning is designed for pine stands with a severe hardwood encroachment problem which threatens the health of the stand. Unhealthy stands tend to be at higher risk for southern pine beetle damage so stand must meet certain density factor to qualify. Stands must be a minimum of 10 acres to qualify and only winter burning is permitted. Severe crown scorch can actually attract southern pine beetles so every effort should be made to have a “backing” fire to minimize hot spots with the burn.
All state and local laws must be followed with the burning, and best management practices should be followed when constructing firebreaks. Contact your local GFC office to learn more about state and local ordinances that may apply with this practice.
To apply for this practice, contact your local county GFC forester.
Additional information about prescribed burning.
Fundng provided by the USDA - Forest Service
