Stand development, fire and growth of old-growth and young forests in southwestern Oregon, USA

► Fire was common pre-1900, stand densities were low and trees grew rapidly. ► Fires and tree establishment occurred together for >200 years in old growth. ► Today's young stands established without fire, at high densities and grew slowly. ► Low densities promote old-growth structure, reduce fire hazard and limit biomass. ► Today's old growth differs from 1800 in terms of stand structure and fire hazard.