Spatial dynamics of tree group and gap structure in an old-growth ponderosa pine-California black oak forest burned by repeated wildfires

•Wildfires can maintain tree group and canopy gap forest structure similar to reference forests.•Ponderosa pine regeneration outpaced black oak regeneration in gaps.•Modelled potential fire behavior indicates the current forest would be resilient to a wildfire.•Burning will be needed in the future to reduce ponderosa pine and promote black oak.