Age, composition, and stand structure of old-growth oak sites in the Florida high pine landscape: implications for ecosystem management and restoration

Abstract

The authors sampled tree age, species composition, and stand structure of four high pine sites composed of old-growth sand post oak (Q. margaretta Ashe), old-growth turkey oak (Quercus laevis Walt.), and young longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in north and central peninsular Florida. The oldest turkey oak sampled was 123 years old, and the oldest sand post oak was 230 years old. Turkey oak exhibited the greatest diameter variation in relation to age. The median number of rings found in rotten and/or hollow turkey oaks was 63 and the corresponding number for sand post oak was 105. Age reconstruction indicated that in 1900 minimum oak tree (m> 5 cm diameter at breast height) density ranged from 10 to 60 trees ha^-1 among sites. This study demonstrates that sandhill oak trees historically were an integral component of at least some phases of the high pine ecosystem. These data support the hypothesis that spatial patchiness and variability in fire frequency, season, and intensity historically permitted oaks to reach and maintain tree size in varying densities over time and across the high pine landscape.

Citation

Greenberg, Cathryn H.; Simons, Robert W. 1999. Age, composition, and stand structure of old-growth oak sites in the Florida high pine landscape: implications for ecosystem management and restoration. Natural Areas Journal. 19(1): 30-40.