Acorn Production and Tree Growth of Nuttall Oak in a Green-Tree Reservoir

Abstract

Green-tree reservoirs, created by flooding live timber stands, provide resting places and food for wintering waterfowl. The effects of winter flooding in terms of acorn production and growth of Nuttall oaks were studied in a reservoir which had been flooded annually for 15 years and in a nearby unflooded site. The study, which lasted for 5 years, included four tree sizes and three thinning treatments. Acorn production was about half as great in the winter-flooded site as in the control area. Large trees were better mast producers than small trees within the same stand. Thinning had no effect on mast production, but significantly affected diameter growth. Diameter growth was about the same in flooded and nonflooded areas. Eleven percent of the flooded trees died, while none of the nonflooded trees died.

Keywords

Quercus nuttallii Palmer, winter flooding, mast

Citation

Francis, John K. 1983. Acorn Production and Tree Growth of Nuttall Oak in a Green-Tree Reservoir. Res. Note SO-289. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 3 p.