Oak Regeneration Practices: Two-Age Deferment System

Abstract

The two-age deferment system maintains two age classes, usually a regenerating class that will grow and develop and an older, mature age class which is retained for another rotation. Pertaining to oak regeneration, if the present, mature oak stand does not contain advance oak reproduction and a harvest is imminent, then the forthcoming stand (rotation) will not be composed of oaks. However, by retaining a few mature oak reserve trees, acorn production continues. Even though oaks will not be a component in the development of the younger age class, oak advance reproduction can develop during the next rotation and build the number and size of seedlings during the 2nd (next) rotation. This oak advance reproduction would be available for regeneration for the 3rd rotation. Thus, if an oak seed source remains, oaks can flourish in successive stands. Otherwise, if all the overstory oaks are harvested now, future rotations will not be composed of oaks because of the absence of a seed source.