(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2007) Battaglia, Michael A., author; Smith, Frederick W., advisor; Shepperd, Wayne D., advisor
Recent wildfires in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) forests have increased efforts to create forest structures that reduce the risk of crown fire. In the Black Hills, these fuel-reduction treatments often result in a new cohort of ponderosa pine regeneration. If no action is taken, the efficacy of these fuel treatments eventually diminishes as the regeneration grows and creates a ladder fuel complex. In this dissertation, I examine the utility of using prescribed fire to control this regeneration. I also explore if restoration of historical forest structure would result in reduced crown fire risk.
