Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Effect of animal browse protection and fertilizer application on the establishment of planted Nuttall oak seedlings

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For establishment to be successful, planted oak must emerge above vegetative competition and browse level. A 3 year study was established in 2000 in a cutover bottomland hardwood forest in west Alabama to examine the influences of seedling browse protection and fertilizer use on growth of Nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii Palm.) seedlings. The treatments included: control, 1.2 m tall wire tree shelter, and 1.2 m tall plastic tree shelter. Fertilizer (20–10–5) was applied to one-half of all seedlings at planting. Competing vegetation was controlled around all seedlings with mulch mats and herbicide. Fertilization did not affect height growth or successful establishment after 3 years. Four percent of protected seedlings (plastic and wire tree shelters combined) were browsed compared to 95% of control seedlings. After 3 years, plastic tree shelters were the most effective treatment for promoting height growth and successful seedling establishment of Nuttal oak seedlings (193 cm, 92.71% compared to 120 cm, 68.75% and 52 cm, 8.33% for wire tree shelter, and control seedlings, respectively). Animal browse protection is deemed essential for successful seedling establishment in southern bottomland forests where deer density is high (density estimated at 27 km−2 in vicinity of study area).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • R.C. Anderson O.L. Loucks (1979) ArticleTitleWhite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) influence on structure and composition of Tsuga canadensis forests J. Appl. Ecol. 16 IssueID3 855–861 Occurrence Handle10.2307/2402859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Brose D. Lear ParticleVan R. Cooper (1999) ArticleTitleUsing shelterwood harvests and prescribed fire to regenerate oak stands on productive upland sites For. Ecol. Mgt. 113 IssueID2 125–141 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-1127(98)00423-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S.B. Castleberry W.M. Ford K.V. Miller W.P. Smith (1999) ArticleTitleWhite-tailed deer browse preferences in a southern bottomland hardwood stand South. J. Appl. For. 23 IssueID2 78–82

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameUSDA Soil Conservation Service (1971) Soil Survey of Greene County USDA Soil Conservation Service Alabama 94

    Google Scholar 

  • M.R. Dubois A.H. Chappelka E. Robbins G. Somers K. Baker (2000) ArticleTitleTree shelters and weed control: Effects on protection, survival and growth of cherrybark oak seedlings planted on a cutover site New For. 20 IssueID2 105–118

    Google Scholar 

  • W.M. Ford J.A. Sydney H.P. Philip (1994) ArticleTitleNutritional quality of deer browse in southern Appalachian clearcuts and mature forests For. Ecol. Mgt. 67 IssueID1–3 149–157 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-1127(94)90013-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golden M.S. and E.F. Loewenstein 1991. Regeneration of tree species 7 years after clearcutting in a river bottom in central Alabama. In: Coleman S.S. and Neary D.G. (eds.), Proc. of the Sixth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference Vol 1. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-70. 868 pp. SE For. Exp. Stn, AshevilleNC, pp 76–83.

  • R.B. Heiligmann E.R. Norland D.E. Hilt (1985) ArticleTitle28-year-old reproduction on five cutting practices in upland oak North. J. Appl. For. 2 IssueID1 17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • D.M. Hix C.G. Lorimer (1991) ArticleTitleEarly stand development on former oak sites in southwestern Wisconsin For. Ecol. Mgt. 42 IssueID34 169–193 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-1127(91)90023-O

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson P.S. 1993. Perspectives on the ecology and silviculture of oak-dominated forests in the central and eastern states. USDA For. Ser. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-153. NC For. Exp. Stn., St. Paul, MN. 28 pp.

  • R.L. Johnson R.M. Krinard (1983) ArticleTitleRegeneration in small and large sawtimber sweetgum-red oak stands following selection and seed tree harvest: 23-year results South. J. Appl. For. 7 IssueID4 176–184

    Google Scholar 

  • R.H. Jones A.H. Chappelka D.H. West (1996) ArticleTitleUse of plastic shelters for low-cost establishment of street trees South. J. Appl. For. 20 IssueID2 85–89

    Google Scholar 

  • D.O. Lantagne C.W. Ramm D.I. Dickmann (1990) ArticleTitleTree shelters increase heights of planted oaks in a Michigan clearcut North. J. Appl. For. 7 IssueID1 24–26

    Google Scholar 

  • C.G. Lorimer J.W. Chapman W.D. Lambert (1994) ArticleTitleTall understory vegetation as a factor in the poor development of oak seedlings beneath mature stands J. Ecol. 82 IssueID2 227–237 Occurrence Handle10.2307/2261291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manchester E.H., Roland F.G. and Sims D.H. 1988. Tree shelters show promise for oak regeneration. Tech. UpdateUSDA For. Ser. Coop. For. Mgt. Bull. R8-MB 25, USDA For. Ser. Reg. 8, Atlanta, GA. 2 pp.

  • Schuler T.M. and Miller G.W. 1996. Guidelines for using tree shelters to regenerate northern red oak. In: Brissette J.C. (eds.), Proceedings of the Tree Shelter Conference. USDA For. Ser. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-221. NE For. Exp. Stn., Radnor, PA. 80 pp. 37–45.

  • Schweitzer C.J., Gardiner E.S., Stanturf J.A. and Ezell A.W. 1999. Methods to improve establishment and growth of bottomland hardwood artificial regeneration. In: Stringer J.W. and Loftis D.L. (eds), Proc. of the Twelfth Central Hardwood Forest Conference. USDA For Ser. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-24. South. Res. Stn., Asheville, NC. 293 pp. 209–214.

  • Southern Regional Climate Center. 2004. http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/.

  • N.G. Tilghman (1989) ArticleTitleImpacts of white-tailed deer on forest regeneration in northwestern Pennsylvania J. Wild. Mgt. 53 IssueID3 524–532

    Google Scholar 

  • Toole E. Richard. 1959. Decay after fire injury to southern bottomland hardwoods. USDA For. Ser. Tech. Bull. 1189. Washington, DC. 25 pp.

  • G. Tulley (1985) ArticleTitleThe growth of young oak trees in shelters Forestry 58 IssueID2 181–182

    Google Scholar 

  • R.S. Walters (1993) Protecting northern red oak seedlings with tree shelters in northwestern Pennsylvania USDA For. Ser. Res. Pap. NE-679. NE For. Exp. Stn. Radnor PA 5

    Google Scholar 

  • J.S. Ward P.N. Martin G.R. Stephens (2000) ArticleTitleEffects of planting stock quality and browse protection type on height growth of northern red oak and eastern white pine For. Ecol. Mgt. 127 205–216 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-1127(99)00132-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.H. West A.H. Chappelka K.M. Tilt H.G. Ponder J.D. Williams (1999) ArticleTitleEffect of tree shelters on survival, growth and wood quality of 11 tree species commonly planted in the southern United States J. Arbor. 25 IssueID2 69–75

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 108 M. White Smith Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849-5418

    Troy S. Taylor, Edward F. Loewenstein & Arthur H. Chappelka

Authors
  1. Troy S. Taylor
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Edward F. Loewenstein
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arthur H. Chappelka
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edward F. Loewenstein.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Taylor, T.S., Loewenstein, E.F. & Chappelka, A.H. Effect of animal browse protection and fertilizer application on the establishment of planted Nuttall oak seedlings. New Forest 32, 133–143 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-005-4167-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-005-4167-3

Keywords