Oak Regeneration Practices: Oak Enrichment or Supplemental Plantings

Abstract

If natural advance oak reproduction is not present, a logical supposition is to plant oak seedlings to supplement or enrich the existing reproduction and culture those planted seedlings to a larger size. Unfortunately, planting oaks in existing natural stands has been mostly unsuccessful with poor survival. Few plantings exist today. Clark and Dey present a series of thorough protocols concerning seedling care, selection, and planting as possible explanations for poor seedling survival once planted. However, the planting environment and the maintenance of that environment for the growth and culture of shade-intermediate oaks are often disregarded. Dispersed, partial sunlight (20 to 35 percent full sunlight) that favors oaks and discourages intolerant and more tolerant species must be maintained for development of oaks. Effective site preparation is essential and control of competing vegetation several times is necessary to ensure that oak emerges into the overstory.