Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Herbicide Release of 4 Year Old, Naturally Regenerated Bottomland Oaks -- 10 Year Results

Informally Refereed

Abstract

In 1989 two clearcut, naturally regenerated bottomland hardwood stands near the Congaree River in South Carolina were found to contain nearly 2000 red oak (Quercus pagoda Raf. and Q. shumardii Buckley) seedlings per acre. By age 4, these oak seedlings were quickly being overtopped by competitive sprouts, vines, and fast growing pioneer species. The number of remaining seedlings had been reduced to 450 per acre. In order to improve the competitive status of these desirable oak seedlings, a number of directed and broadcast pine herbicide release treatments at full and half strength were applied late in the fourth growing season. It was hoped that the overtopping competition would be inhibited or killed, but simultaneously shield the oak seedlings from the herbicides. Two year measurements indicated that oak seedling diameter growth was nearly doubled by some of the herbicides, but there was little difference in the number or canopy position of the oaks. Remeasurements 10 years after applications indicated that at least four of the simulated aerial herbicide broadcasts and one of the directed sprays resulted in 14-year-old oak saplings nearly an inch larger in diameter and three times more numerous in the dominant canopy position than those in the untreated areas. One herbicide and method of application in particular resulted in 4-inch diameter oaks, 36 feet tall with nearly 400 per acre remaining in at least a codominant status.

Parent Publication

Citation

Nix, Larry E. 2004. Herbicide Release of 4 Year Old, Naturally Regenerated Bottomland Oaks -- 10 Year Results. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–71. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 520-523
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6692