Oaks are important for so many reasons. They are well adapted to Southeast Ohio growing conditions and are long-lived trees that provide stability to our woodlands, in addition to their many other benefits:
produce acorns which are a key food for many wildlife species, from songbirds to white-tailed deer- provide many other important habitat benefits for wildlife
- grow timber used to produce many valuable forest products like barrels, flooring, cabinets, and furniture
- sustain our local economy by providing jobs and income for woodland owners
- enhance the many recreational benefits, like bird watching and hunting, that our forests provide
Why Are We Concerned?
Oaks still dominate our woodlands in Southeast Ohio, but we are seeing a concerning trend. When these large canopy oaks die or are harvested, they are often replaced by species other than oak. Typically, the replacement trees are shade-loving species like red maple which thrive under oak canopies and deprive smaller oaks of the light that they need to survive and compete (Figure 2).
Why Is Oak in Jeopardy?
Young oaks are a bit like Goldilocks. Too much light from heavy cutting like clearcutting and they often lose the battle to light-loving species like tulip-tree. Too little light from no cutting or “select cutting” and they lose to shade loving species like red maple.
When young oaks get “just the right amount” of light from partial canopies they can grow large, carrot-like roots (Figure 3). These roots give them the ability to sprout and grow rapidly after cutting and other disturbances like fire.
What “Oak-friendly” Solutions Are Available?
Over the past few decades we have uncovered some oak-friendly practices with the help of researchers that encourage the growth of young oaks. Tools like prescribed fire (Figure 4), herbicides, and chainsaws can be used to increase sunlight to the forest floor, which can help young oaks grow. Once these young oaks develop deep tap roots, proper timber harvests (e.g. shelterwood harvest, Figure 2) and group openings can be designed to allow them to grow into the canopy.
What Can You Do?
Contact your state service forester at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for assistance with:
- evaluating your situation
- developing a plan of action for your woods
- determining if you are eligible for funding or other assistance
- providing recommendations to help you to leave an oak legacy for the future
Useful Resource
Download a PDF of this fact sheet.
Acknowledgments
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources receives funding assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture in the delivery of certain programs. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. For more information, visit usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement.
Special thanks to Jamie Dahl, former Forest Outreach Coordinator, Central State University for contributions to this publication.