What is the burning of the foliage from the bottom up of a single tree called?

The phenomenon described as the burning of the foliage from the bottom up of a single tree is known as torching. This process occurs when flames spread from the ground or lower branches of a tree to the foliage at the top, typically because of heat and combustion that ignite the leaves or small branches above. Torching is indicative of intense fire behavior and can occur in situations where conditions allow the fire to easily access the canopy of the tree.

This process is significant in wildfire behavior because it indicates a transition from lower intensity fire behaviors, such as surface fires, to more intense behaviors that can lead to rapid fire spread and increased fire intensity. Understanding torching helps wildfire mitigation specialists anticipate how a fire may behave and plan appropriate strategies for suppression and protection of resources.