Oak Shelterwood: A Technique to Improve Oak Regeneration

Oak Regeneration Dynamics Successful regeneration of oak on intermediate and high-quality sites (upland oak site index > 65 to 70 feet) is limited due to the lack of the vigorous advance regeneration and/or saplings/pole-sized trees that are capable of sprouting. Vigorous advance regeneration and/or stump sprouters are required at the time of regeneration on intermediate and highquality sites, due to the abundance of competing species. Oak advance regeneration that is small in stature and low in vigor can quickly become overtopped by co-occurring species after a regeneration event. On poorer-quality sites, oaks are subjected to less competition, and often contain an adequate pool of advance regeneration or trees that are capable of sprouting. In many instances, oak stands on intermediate and high-quality sites contain well-developed, midand under-stories of shade-tolerant species typically composed of red maple, sugar maple and American beech. This stand structure leads to light levels at Figure 1. Oak shelterwood method and the implementation of the mid-story removal treatment in a typical upland oak stand. Untreated with well-developed mid-story.