Fire in the urban forest: Long-term effects in old growth stands

In the old growth forests of New York City parks, fires contributed to black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), sassafras (Sassafras albidum Nutt.), and oaks (Quercus spp.L.) having large increases in tree density over the past half-century and attaining dominance among saplings and seedlings. An old growth urban forest in Cleveland, which showed no evidence of fire, had little change in tree density since 1935. Urban forest management practice would benefit from including fire related activities such as planting fire tolerant species in locations that direct travel within the urban forests and increasing public interest in protecting the forests from fire.