Treesearch

Twenty oak species in the eastern United States account for one-third of the hardwood sawtimber volume and almost 10 percent of both hardwood and softwood growing-stock volume. The oak-hickory and oak-pine forest types occupy about 38 percent of the forest land in the eastern United States. Oak timber volume is increasing. Annual growth exceeds annual removals by about 20 percent. In the next 30 years large increases in demand for oak timber are probable; and the better quality oak timber, particularly in the South, will probably be increasingly scarce.

Early efforts at developing new forms of oak by interspecific hybridization have not been very successful, although spontaneous hybrids appear rather readily in nature. Preliminary reports on a few seed-source or provenance studies indicate that differences among sources are generally less than differences among trees within sources. This directs tree-improvement programs along the line of single tree selection. Selection methods followed in several programs are briefly outlined, and it is suggested that breeding programs to develop oak wilt resistant individuals be started immediately.

Correct timing of the first thinning in mixed oak stands depends largely on the composition and condition of the stands and on available markets for small wood products. Delaying first thinnings in high-quality seedling-origin stands until a long, straight, clear bole has developed is of primary importance in assuring high quality of the final crop trees. However, many of our present stands, particularly those of sprout origin, need improvement work; and improvement cuttings or thinnings should be started as soon as a commercial operation is possible. Growth response in diameter after...

Site quality for upland oaks can be estimated directly by using site-index curves, or indirect estimations can be made by using soil-site prediction methods. Presently available harmonized site-index curves may not be suitable for all upland oak species, or may not be suitable throughout their range. New stem-analysis data show that different species of oak have different patterns of height growth; for older ages these patterns are markedly different from patterns predicted by harmonized site-index curves. Soil-site studies for upland oaks are reviewed, and suggestions are made for...

As "tall oaks from little acorns grow", the germ of an idea blossomed into this symposium on the five upland oaks. Called simply the "Oak Symposium", that's what it's all about - a meeting to bring together a summation of the advances made on the silviculture, management, and utilization of the upland oaks. Part of this process is the pinpointing of what we don't know - gaps in our knowledge that research can help fill.

Though the Forest Service has pioneered in outdoor recreation research, the funding for recreation research has been inadequate. Specific needs for research are outlined. There is a need to define recreation and recreation research in terms that busy legislators can understand.

A discussion of the research environment, with emphasis on the quality of future research. Some current research attitudes are criticized and a suggestion is given for increasing the value of research.

A critical look at outdoor recreation research and some underlying premises. The author focuses on the concept of culture as communication and how it influences our perception of problems and our search for solutions. Both outdoor recreation and science are viewed as subcultures that have their own bodies of mythology, making recreation problems more difficult to define and to resolve.

Recreationists are free to ignore many of a land manager's communication efforts. Greatest effectiveness can be expected for presentations that are dynamic and are tailored to the interests and other characteristics of selected visitor groups that permit participation and reward learning, and that provide both an idea of what is coming and a framework to give it coherence.

The establishment of guidelines for identifying recreation resources in the inventorying process should be limited to conditions and characteristics of the natural resources themselves. This requires not only that we define recreation, but also that we prescribe the combination of resources necessary to carry on a variety of recreational activities.