Silviculture of Oak Stands

Oak (Quercus) forests cover an extensive area in the Central and Eastern States and contain one of the most important group of tree species in the United States. In the southern Appalachians oaks are economically valuable for wood products as well as for numerous wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic uses and values.  Comprehending the options, opportunities, and limitations in managing oak forests requires, among other things, an understanding of oak silvics (ecology), oak regeneration, and management options for established oak stands.

• Oak silvics focuses on the biology, physiology, and ecology of oak life history.
• Oak regeneration challenges: Although mature oaks form a dominant component of hardwood stands in the Appalachians, sustainable management for oak continues to be problematic: the amount of oak that regenerates following a harvest or major disturbance is often less than was present in the parent stand. This section describes challenges to oak regeneration and discusses the causes for them.
• Establishing oak regeneration: Oak can be regenerated by several silvicultural methods. This section discusses how to assess the regeneration potential of a stand and the various methods used to naturally regenerate oak.  Various site preparation methods (e.g., herbicides, fire) are also reviewed.
• Managing established stands: There are a variety of intermediate treatments used to maintain and improve established oak stands. These treatments (e.g., thinnings, release, improvement cuts) are discussed.