Meadow revitalization through controlled burns at Adkins Arboretum

Weather conditions permitting, Adkins Arboretum conducts a meadow burn every three years. Burning is a natural event that helps to regenerate the meadow plant community and keep the meadow habitat from progressing into a young forest. We work with the Caroline County Soil Conservation District and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to ensure a safe burn.

Here are responses to commonly asked questions about controlled burning:

1) Why do you burn the meadow?
a. To enhance biodiversity, control invasive plants, and to maintain the meadow as a meadow habitat without the use of pesticides.

2) Why are you keeping the meadow from turning into a forest? I thought an Arboretum would like forests.
a. At Adkins Arboretum, we maintain a variety of important habitats. Meadow habitat is essential to certain species of birds and other animals. By maintaining a variety of habitats, we promote biodiversity and it serves as a great demonstration of a meadow habitat.

3) What about the wildlife?
a. The meadow is burned in stages which allows for animals to escape to adjacent plant cover. The burn is only done between January and March to ensure that nesting birds are not disturbed.

4) How does a burn help an ecosystem?
a. Some plants are pyrophytic and require fire for their seeds to germinate.
b. Burns also help to keep invasive species at bay because they are not as well adapted to burning.
c. The burnt plant material serves as a fertilizer that encourages the meadow species to regrow with vigor.
d. A burn helps to keep the meadow from crowding and shading itself out.

5) How soon will the meadow regenerate?
a. Generally, within a month, we will start to see new plant growth. By summer time, the meadow will be lush and tall.