A shelterwood-burn technique for regenerating productive upland oak sites

Regenerating oak stands on productive upland sites is widely recognized by foresters as a major problem in hardwood management. Our research indicates that oak regeneration is more resistant to surface fires than its primary competitors on these sites if burning occurs 3 to 5 years after a partial overstory harvest. This combination of cutting followed by fire (shelterwood-burn technique) mimics natural disturbances that have occurred in eastern North America for millennia and appears to be a viable approach to regenerating oaks on productive upland sites. This summary report presents highlights of our recent prescribed fire research, silvicultural guidelines for applying the shelterwood-burn technique on productive upland sites, and discussion of its benefits for private landowners and resource professionals.

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