After a wildfire, adequate and timely regeneration of trees ensures that site will grow back into a forest. In some cases, natural regeneration from seeds dropped by nearby trees is sufficient to repopulate the site. In other cases, artificial regeneration (planting seedlings) is necessary, especially in large areas where all the trees have died or were removed. Reforestation can quickly reestablish tree seedlings on a site where natural regeneration is insufficient as well as influence desired tree species composition, density, and arrangement.

Reforestation is critical to restore the growing backlog of California's fire-damaged forests. Without timely reforestation, competing vegetation can quickly convert former forestland into shrub fields that persist for decades and are more likely to reburn at high severity.

There are five key principles to successful reforestation:

1. Plant species from known, appropriate seed sources.
2. Use quality seedlings.
3. Control competing vegetation.
4. Properly handle, transport, store, and plant seedlings.
5. Protect plantings from damage by animal and insect pests, competing vegetation, and competition between trees.

To successfully reforest an area, planning should begin as soon as stand mortality occurs.  Careful evaluation of each site and availability of locally adapted native seeds must be identified. If seeds are available, then foresters can prescribe treatments for the site and identify the quantity of seedlings of each species needed. Over the next two years, the forester may then plan and implement site preparation, plant nursery-grown seedlings, and arrange follow-up treatments as needed.  Careful control of competing vegetation results in the retention of sufficient soil moisture for excellent seedling survival rates, even on very dry sites during prolonged droughts. Reforestation without proper planning and implementation of each time-critical reforestation step will result in a waste of money, time, and valuable conifer seed.

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Interested in reforestation? Connect with experts from UC Cooperative Extension!

Reforestation is a complex, multi-year process involving a sequence of seed collection, site preparation, planting, and seedling maintenance. Proper planning and implementation of these time-sensitive steps are required to ensure long-term seedling success and avoid costly follow-up treatments.

Visit the UC Forestry Research and Outreach website to learn more about reforestation-related resources and to connect with a regional expert near you.