Oak Regeneration Potential Increased by Shelterwood Treatments

Abstract In much of the Central Hardwood Forest Region, oak species are not regenerating well, even though large oak trees are common within the existing forests. The shelterwood method has been suggested as a potential tool for establishing and developing advanced regeneration where it is lacking. The 10-yr results from a study of several variants of the shelterwood method show that on good sites in the Missouri Ozarks Region, a heavy understory treatment is most important, while on average sites, reducing the overstory density level is most important. The right combinations of overstory and understory treatments will likely be different for different stands and locations, but the shelterwood method does appear to be a useful silvicultural tool for perpetuating central hardwood oak forests. North. J. Appl. For. 10(4): 149-153.