Sprouting of blackjack oak in the Missouri Ozarks

Abstract

Almost all hardwood trees in the forests of the Missouri Ozarks are prolific sprouters. This ability plays an important role in the development of both managed and unmanaged forests. The ability to sprout is a big help in maintaining a forest cover. It is primarily responsible for the very existence of most of the hardwood forests in the Ozarks today. Persistent attempts for more than half a century to clear land have been unsuccessful on about half the original forested area in the State. These attempts, although unsuccessful in eliminating the forest cover, have drastically reduced the quality and productivity of the remaining forest stands. As a result, much of Missouri's 15 million acres of forest land has too few sound trees of commercial species, particularly in the larger size classes. Most stands contain many trees of noncommercial species such as blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica Muenchh.) and trees that are not merchantable because of defect.

Citation

Clark, F. Bryan; Liming, Franklin G. 1953. Sprouting of blackjack oak in the Missouri Ozarks. Tech. Pap. No. 137. Columbus, OH: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Central States Forest Experiment Station. 22 p.