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Abstract
Natural seedlings of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) growing on extremely acidic soils are subjected to stresses resulting from the relatively inhospitable soil chemical environment, competition from other plants and herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Boddaert). The objective of this study was to determine if lime and fertilizer, fencing and vegetation control could increase the growth and survivorship of natural northern red oak seedlings. Three replicate plots for each possible combination of liming and fertilization (6600 kg/ha dolomitic lime, 110 kg/ha K2 0 equivalents and 220 kg/ha P2 O5 equivalents), vegetation control (removal of fern fronds) and fencing (woven wire fencing) were established in the spring of 1995. Two years after treatment, the area was subjected to a partial cut. Without any other site treatment, vegetation control increased mortality. Lime and fertilizer treatment increased height growth before and after cutting. Vegetation control increased height growth after cutting but had no effect on height growth prior to cutting. Fencing increased seedling height growth prior to and after cutting. Seedlings that were not fenced actually lost height in the year after cutting. While seedlings were responsive to treatment, the magnitude of the growth response was low.
Parent Publication
Citation
Demchik,
Michael C.; Sharpe, William E. 1999. Survivorship and growth of natural northern red oak (
Quercus Rubra L.) seedlings in response to selected treatments on an extremely acidic forest soil. In: Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Loftis, David L., eds. 1999. Proceedings, 12th central hardwood forest conference; 1999 February 28-March 1-2; Lexington, KY. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 293 p
