To protect its precious cargo of needles from ground fire, ponderosa pine trees slough off low-hanging branches as they mature. Back to How Plants Use Fire Back to How Plants Use Fire Photo credits Printer-Friendly Format   Feedback The Producer's Story | The World on Fire | Outfitting Wildland Firefighters How Plants Use Fire | Glossary of Fire Terms | Wildfire Simulator | On Fire Resources | Transcript | Site Map | Fire Wars Home Search | Site Map | Previously Featured | Schedule | Feedback | Teachers | Shop Join Us/E-Mail | About NOVA | Editor's Picks | Watch NOVAs Online | To Print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated June 2002