Planting oaks under shelterwoods is an important but often overlooked tool for maintaining and restoring oaks in eastern forests. Studies in several regions have demonstrated the potential usefulness of the method. In an 11-year study of the growth and survival of planted northern red oak (Quercus rubraL.) seedlings (2-0 bare-root), we found that survival and growth increased with decreasing shelterwood stocking, increasing initial stem caliper, and increasing intensity of woody competition control.
One result of this study is an interactive Web-based program (OAKUS) that tells you how many trees to plant in order to produce one successful tree at a specified future time. All you need to do is enter specific tree information, treatment information, and site-specific environmental variables
OAKUS is designed for use in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas.
Forest Science Article:
Spetich, M.A., Dey, D.C., Johnson, P.S., and Graney, D.L. 2002. Competitive Capacity of Quercus rubra L. Planted in Arkansas’ Boston Mountains. For. Sci. 48:504–517.
A Technical Transfer "How To" Article:
Spetich, M.A., Dey, D.C., Johnson, P.S., and Graney, D.L. 2004.Success of underplanting northern red oaks. In Spetich, Martin A. (ed.) Proceedings, Upland Oak Ecology Symposium; History, Current Conditions, and Sustainability. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-73. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 206-211.
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