Using prescribed burning to release oak seedlings from shrub competition in southern Connecticut

Abstract

In a managed forest, control of species composition is important for both the economic value and biological health of the forest. Regenerating oaks on better quality sites is often hampered by an extensive shrub layer that suppresses the shorter oak seedlings, especially following shelterwood harvests. The abundance of mature oaks in the present forest is due, in part, to a history of periodic burning and clearcutting prior to 1920 in Connecticut. Fire is a possible method of killing (or stunting) shrubs and allowing oak sprouts to grow above the shrub layer.

Parent Publication

• 12th Central Hardwood Forest Conference

Citation

Ward, Jeffrey S.; Gluck, Emery. 1999. Using prescribed burning to release oak seedlings from shrub competition in southern Connecticut. 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