Download (PDF 266 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/28450.pdf
Abstract
Cattle have been faulted as a possible cause for poor oak regeneration in California's hardwood rangelands. This study sought to determine the effects of stock density and season of grazing on blue oak (
Quercus douglasii) establishment. Year old blue oak seedlings were transplanted into annual grass/rose clover pastures at the Sierra Foothill Range Field Station. Steers were allowed to graze one plot per week at low, medium, and high stock densities (1, 3, and 6 steers/acre, respectively) during the months of January and April. Results from January indicate that low stock density does not have a significant impact on oak establishment. Grazing damage by the steers and browsing damage by deer increased substantially in April. Trampling damage was usually minimal.
Parent Publication
Citation
Hall, Lillian M.; George, Melvin R.; Adams, Theodore E.; Sands, Peter B.; McCreary, Douglas D. 1991. The Effect of Season and Stock Density on Blue Oak Establishment. In: Standiford, Richard B., tech. coord. 1991. Proceedings of the symposium on oak woodlands and hardwood rangeland management; October 31 - November 2, 1990; Davis, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-126. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 312-314
