Michigan Forest Communities - Michigan Association of ...

CLOSED-CANOPY UPLAND FOREST COMMUNITIES
Foresters have long considered the
management of oak forests problematic
because oaks reproduce with difficulty.
Acorns are eaten by many animals and
birds, so little seed survives to germinate.
Oaks do not thrive in shade and
grow more slowly than competing
species. Therefore, selective cutting of
oaks discriminates against them and is
not recommended. Small patch
clearcuts or shelterwood harvests (i.e.,
removing about half of the overstory
trees), along with plenty of soil disturbance
and suppression of competing
species with herbicides, seem to work
best. Prescribed burning in regenerating
stands also may be effective in suppressing
oak competitors, which do not
sprout back as vigorously as oaks after
their tops are killed by a fire. But experience
with this technique is limited.
Thinning established stands to invigorate
large mast-producing oaks and other
species is a common practice.
Wild geranium.
Spring beauty.
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