Answer:
Fire kills fungus thereby preventing apical meri-stem for future growth
Step-by-step explanation:
Longleaf pine are resistant to the surface fire. The apical meri-stem is located at greater heights due to which they remain outside the reach of fire and hence they are well-protected from surface fire. The apical meri-stem is further protected by insulation from needles and bud scales
Frequent surface fires are used to prevent the entry of devastating foreign species such as fungus