Acorn Weevils, Rodents, and Deer All Contribute to Oak-Regeneration Difficulties in Pennsylvania

David A. Marquis; Philip L. Eckert; Benjamin A. Roach

Treesearch

Acorn Weevils, Rodents, and Deer All Contribute to Oak-Regeneration Difficulties in Pennsylvania

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David A. Marquis, Philip L. Eckert, Benjamin A. Roach

Year:

1976

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-356. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5p.

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Download (PDF 719 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/14481.pdf

Abstract

In parts of Pennsylvania, oak regeneration after harvest cutting or natural disturbances has been very poor. Studies on the Tuscarora State Forest suggest that the primary cause of natural regeneration failure may be a lack of viable acorns; on some sites acorn insects and rodents destroy nearly all acorns, even in good seed years. Artificial regeneration is not without difficulties either: rodents were able to reach direct-seeded acorns even through plastic protectors; and planted seedlings have been severely damaged by deer browsing.

Keywords

Oak trees, regeneration, damage by insects, damage by rodents, damage by deer

Citation

Marquis, David A.; Eckert, Philip L.; Roach, Benjamin A. 1976. Acorn Weevils, Rodents, and Deer All Contribute to Oak-Regeneration Difficulties in Pennsylvania. Res. Pap. NE-356. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5p.