Red Oak Research and Demonstration Area in Phelps Township, North Bay, Ontario-2004 to 2005

In July 2004, a large stand of red oak (Quercus rubra) was harvested in Phelps Township, North Bay District, North Bay, Ontario using the uniform shelterwood system. Most of the stand was harvested to retain 40 percent crown closure, while a very small portion was harvested to retain 70 percent crown closure. During tree marking, an active Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) nest was identified and the appropriate Area of Concern (AOC) prescription was applied. Within the modified cut portion of the AOC, the group selection silvicultural system was used with two different size group openings: the traditional 0.1 ha (0.25 ac) with a diameter of 36 m (118 ft), and a smaller opening (0.05 ha [0.12 ac]) with a diameter equal to 24 m (79 ft) (stand height). The stand is growing on deep loamy-sands and best described as having a “dry” moisture regime classification. A number of studies initiated by Nipissing Forest Resource Inc., Callender, ON, in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southern Science and Information Section, Peterborough, ON have been established within this harvested red oak stand: (1) group selection, (2) acorn sowing, (3) planting-spacing and pattern, (4) uniform shelterwood, (5) planting stock size and fertilizer at time of planting, (6) tending treatments, and (7) regeneration ecology.