Preliminary evaluation of operational oak regeneration methods in central Missouri

Oak regeneration on mesic upland sites continues to be a major challenge throughout the hardwood forests of eastern North America. Oak forests across northern and central Missouri have been historically maintained through natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes. This cycle has been interrupted in many areas through fire suppression, high-grading, and intensive grazing so that more shade-tolerant species are out-competing oak advancement. Resource managers are seeking silvicultural methods that increase or sustain the oak component on these mesic sites. Reducing overstory and midstory densities to increase light, reduce competition, and increase growing space for oaks is one strategy of increasing oak regeneration potential.