Persimmon Tree Farm Rx Fire

Persimmon Tree Farm is a 131 acre show horse boarding and training facility located in Carroll county Maryland.  In addition to top notch horse facilities, the farm is permanently protected in an agricultural easement and has over 40 acres of conservation and wildlife habitat areas.  Learn more about Persimmon Tree Farm by clicking here.

Sustainable Solutions was approached by the owners at Persimmon Tree Farm to conduct a prescribed fire operation for 31 acres of warm season grass.  The site was a challenging one.  Steep slopes, combined with multiple fall lines, proximity to woods, and a heavily accumulation of dead  fuels (the site had not been burned for over 5 years) made this a challenging site to work with.  

With a prescribed fire contract signed, Sustainable first worked to develop a comprehensive burn plan, complete with detailed burn unit maps.  This burn plan was then submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resource Forest Service regional fire manager for approval.  Once approved, Sustainable then obtained county burn permits from the local forestry office, and the Carrol County department of Air Quality.  

With the plan and permits secured, Sustainable then forecasted the sites weather for two months to determine the appropriate burn window.  On April 7th 2011, Sustainable mobilized fire crew and equipment to the farm and completed the prescribed fire.  The burn was a huge success, with 100% combustion of the old grasses.   We are excited to see the new growth of grass in the coming months!