Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Fall 2000

Keywords

Flammability of nonwoody materials, Consumable fuel, Deciduous tree leaves

Abstract

The leaves from three Northwest deciduous trees were burned to compare flammability of nonwoody fuels. The following characteristics were measured in a completely randomized design ANOVA: maximum flame height, flame time, ember time, burn time, percent combusted, and mean rate of weight loss. The burning characteristics examined address important aspects of nonwoody fuel flammability in deciduous forests. My data indicated that alder, cottonwood, and maple leaves create a consumable fuel load that could support a moderate intensity, sustainable fire. The data were compared to a previous study of burning characteristics needles of Pacific Northwest conifers (Fonda et al. 1998). Deciduous leaves are as flammable as ponderosa pine needles.

Department

Biology

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Leaves--Effect of fires on; Fire ecology; Acer macrophyllum--Effect of fires on; Red alder--Effect of fires on; Black cottonwood--Effect of fires on; Explosions--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Whatcom Creek Region

Geographic Coverage

Whatcom Creek Region (Wash.)

Genre/Form

student projects; term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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Included in

Biology Commons

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