Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) in a Fragmented Woodlot

The stand structure of shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and soil properties in an extremely fragmented woodlot were examined in northeastern Illinois. The goal of this preliminary study was to examine the effect of extreme forest fragmentation (in a golf course environment) on the structure of oak-hickory remnants and the impact of golf course management on soil properties associated with these remnants. Seedling densities for shagbark hickory, density and basal area for all trees present, and soil samples (pH, bulk density, organic matter, and macronutrient concentrations) were obtained for each remnant and compared to a larger forest plot (11 ha). Shagbark hickory seeds collected from the study site were germinated and grown under two different conditions; fertilized and nonfertilized, to assess the effect of nutrient amendments on seedling growth and persistence. Seedling densities in woodlot remnants indicated shagbark hickory is capable of establishing within a fragmented environment. However, the stand structures indicated a lack of recent recruitment to the sub-canopy. Soil nutrient concentrations were highly variable with no clear trends among remnants. Fertilizer application to germinants indicated that shagbark hickory seedlings have a negative sensitivity to golf course levels of nutrient application. This research suggests that golf course management practices need to take into consideration the persistence of long-lived tree species within fragments to maintain a wooded course environment.