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Oak Advanced Regeneration Following Seasonal Prescribed Fires In Mixed Hardowod Sheleterwood Stands

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Regeneration of oaks (Quercus) on productive upland sites is a long-standing silvicultural problem due to aggressive competition from faster growing indetetminant species. We hypothesized that a single prescribed fire 3-5 years after an initial shelterwood cut would increase the competitive position of oak regeneration. Three productive oak-dominated shelterwood stands in the Virginia Piedmont were divided into control, spring-,summer-, and winter-burn treatments. Density and stocking of competitive oaks were greater in burned areas than in the unburned control, especially where medium to high intensity bums occurred during the spring and summer. Oak regeneration was evenly distributed over the burned areas while yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). oak's primary competitor on these sites, occurred in small clumps. Results of this study indicate that areas receiving a single prescribed bum of medium to high intensity during the growing season will develop into oak-dominated stands. Other combinations of tire intensity and season-of-bum wilt produce mixed hardwood stands with varying proportions of oak.

Citation

Cooper, Roderick D.; van Lear, David H.; Brose, Patrick H. 1999. Oak Advanced Regeneration Following Seasonal Prescribed Fires In Mixed Hardowod Sheleterwood Stands. Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA. February 16-18, 1999.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/2150