Survival and growth of planted northern red oak in northern West Virginia

The survival and growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings planted beneath a shelterwood in northern West Virginia were evaluated one year after planting. The use of 1.5 m (5 ft) tall TUBEX tree shelters on planted seedlings was also examined. The study was conducted on both excellent and good sites (site indices of 27 m (89 ft) and 22 m (74 ft) for northern red oak, respectively). The overstories on both sites were dominated by yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and northern red oak. A replicated four-level split-plot experimental design was used. Treatments consisted of: site quality, shelterwood cutting, understory herbicide treatment, and tree shelters. Overstories and understories were manipulated in late winter, and 2-0 northern red oak nursery stock was planted and the tree shelters were installed the following spring. The tree shelters significantly increased seedling height growth but not survival. After one growing season, the survival of planted seedlings was 88%. Sheltered trees grew significantly more in height (21 cm) and were more vigorous than the unsheltered seedlings (11 cm). These initial results suggest that when using the shelterwood method, tree shelters will increase the growth of planted northern red oak seedlings.