Planting oaks in the Central Hardwood Region: a shelterwood approach

Abstract

The success of oak seedlings planted under shelterwoods depends on where they are planted, initial seedling size, nursery undercutting treatments, and whether they are top-clipped before planting. These conclusions are based on planting northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and white oak (Q. alba L.) under shelterwoods in Indiana and Missouri. Three years after planting, the shelterwoods were completely removed. Results are based on planted tree growth and survival 5 to 7 years after shelterwood removal. For both species, planted tree survival and the probability of attaining dominance increased as initial basal diameter of seedlings increased. For a given initial seedling size, survival and dominance probabilities were lowest for seedlings that were neither undercut in the nursery nor top-clipped 8 inches above the root collar. Regardless of undercutting treatment, top-clipped seedlings always produced higher dominance probabilities than unclipped seedlings. For a given treatment, dominance probabilities were higher in Missouri than in Indiana because of the presence and rapid growth of yellow-poplar on the Indiana sites. Planting prescriptions designed to meet a specific oak stocking goal therefore should consider the expected competition after final harvest as well as the expected growth and survival of planted trees.

Citation

Weigel, Dale R.; Johnson, Paul S. 1997. Planting oaks in the Central Hardwood Region: a shelterwood approach. In: Pallardy, Stephen G.; Cecich, Robert A.; Garrett, H. Gene; Johnson, Paul S., eds. Proceedings of the 11th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-188. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station: 151