Changes in nutritive value of browse plants following forest fires

Studies were conducted to determine chemical composition and nutritive value of four species of plants commonly used as browse by deer and to determine effects of low- and high-intensity fires upon chemical composition. Total solids, ash, ether extract, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract contents of red maple, flowering dogwood, white oak and roundleaf greenbrier were not affected by either type of fire. Protein contents of roundleaf greenbrier, red maple and flowering dogwood foliage were significantly higher in the season following the low-intensity fire, but no effects could be determined in the second year. The high-intensity fire produced significant increases in protein contents of all four species, and effects were still apparent at the end of two years.