Direct-Seeded Cherrybark and Shumard Oaks Battle Natural Regeneration through 10 Years

Abstract Acorns of Shumard (Quercus shumardii Buckl.) and cherrybark (Quercus falcata var. pagodifolia Ell.) oaks were direct seeded in a 3-acre opening created by cutting and removing all trees ≥ 1.0 in. dbh from a forest in the silty uplands. Field germination of winter-sown acorns was 42% for cherrybark and 55% for Shumard, about twice that of spring-sown acorns. After 10 years, average height of co-dominant trees was 23.6 ft. for Shumard and 27.0 ft. for cherrybark; average dbh was 1.5 in. for both species. Dominants and codominants in the competing natural stand averaged 40 ft. tall and 3.5 in. dbh. Only 5% of the seed spots had oak in a free-to-grow position; most codominant oaks were on higher, drier sites where competition was less severe. On better sites a number of intermediate oaks are still developing, but their future is yet to be determined.