Sustaining northern red oak forests: managing oak from regeneration to canopy dominance in mature stands

Abstract

Across the range of northern red oak, managers have problems sustaining current stocking of northern red oak in forests. Oak species are adapted to frequent stand disturbances that reduce the abundance of shade tolerant competitors and control fast-growing pioneer species. A widely recommended approach to regenerating northern red oak is to develop relatively large advance reproduction by manipulating stand structure to provide adequate light to oak seedlings in the forest understory. One approach to develop large oak advance reproduction is to use the shelterwood method with woody competition control.

Citation

Dey, Daniel C.; Miller, Gary W.; Kabrick, John M. 2008. Sustaining northern red oak forests: managing oak from regeneration to canopy dominance in mature stands. In: Deal, R.L., tech. ed. Integrated restoration of forested ecosystems to achieve multiresource benefits: proceedings of the 2007 national silviculture workshop; 2007 May 7-10; Ketchikan, AK. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-733. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 91-105.