The Occurrence of Oak Reproduction After Clearcut Harvesting on the Hoosier National Forest

Abstract

Abstract The quantity of oak regeneration after clearcutting upland hardwood stands is frequently described as adequate on poor quality sites, sparse on medium quality sites, and almost absent on good quality sites. The specific objective of this study was to quantify the occurrence of the largest oak tree (LOT) distributed across a range of site qualities, defined by aspect and slope position, on the Hoosier National Forest, Indiana. Data were collected in 74 clearcut stands, 5 to 17 years of age, using 1,801 0.01-ac plots. Data collected on each plot included species, crown class, height, and stem origin. Average annual height growth of the LOTs was approximately 2.0 ft/yr for dominant stems, 1.5 ft/yr for co-dominant stems, and 0.4 ft/yr for suppressed stems. A LOT was present on 56% of the plots. The site classification approach used described a quantitative gradient of the occurrence of LOTs by aspect code and slope position. The percentage of plots with a LOT increased from lower to upper slope positions and from a northeast to southwest aspect. North. J. Appl. For. 8(4):144-146.