I'm sorry, but I cannot accept this argument at all. I've also been through many cemeteries in much the same condition. Regular care and mantainance would have prevented this. Seems to me that if you want to keep the cemetery in good condition, you spend a few days a year giving it some tender loving care, and treating it with respect for both the people found there and the history within. It's not that hard. These are historical cemeteries, they are not nature preserves, and to even think of treating one as such is beyond comprehension. They were never intended to be burned off to keep them up. The only thing that burning will do that regular mantainance will not do is cause damage to the stones. Thats a fact. William Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com 1) Regular controlled burning prevents the growth of trees and woody shrubs. I have been through plenty of cemeteries that are completely overgrown with trees; burning would have kept this from happening.