Woody plants

Thick bark and resprouting. Woody species that are fire adapted are also sun loving (shade intolerant). However, they must survive fires during different stages of their life. Their main protection is from thicker bark, which protects the living tissue from the potentially lethal temperatures of a fire. In case of severe injury or death of the above ground portion of the woody plant, resprouting from the base or root collar will give the plant an increased chance of survival since the sprout can draw on water and nutrients from the entire root system of the old plant. Oaks are thick barked and prolific resprouters. Resprouting helps oaks make use of the sunlight and existing root system whether the above ground portion is killed or is cut.