Excerpt from Mike Long's Thesis

TREE SPECIES COMPOSITION AND OAK COMPETITIVE STATUS IN UPLAND
HARDWOOD STANDS APPROACHING MID-ROTATION IN SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS

AN ABSTRACT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER OF
Michael A. Long, for the Masters of Science degree in Forestry, presented on March 30,
2007, at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

TITLE: Tree species composition and oak competitive status in even-aged upland
hardwood stands approaching mid-rotation in southern Illinois

MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. John W. Groninger
Quercus (oak) species are important primary producers of the Central Hardwoods
Region. They are one of the most valuable timber species in the region and support a
wide variety of wildlife species. Clear-cutting has been the preferred silvicultural
technique throughout the 1900’s when trying to regenerate the oak species. Recently,
oak regeneration failures have been well documented across the Central Hardwood
Region. Main factors include the absence of fire and increased stocking levels of nonoak
species in forest understories. In 2006, inventories were conducted in 74 upland
hardwood stands that were clear cut on the Shawnee National Forest between 1980 and
1990. Stated objectives for the clear-cuts were to regenerate the stand to desirable upland
hardwoods such as white and red oak, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Fraxinus americana.
The study was conducted to determine the effects of landscape position and
physiographic region had on tree distribution and oak crop tree competitive status.
Oaks decreased from 55% pre-harvest volume to 16% post-harvest density across
all study sites. Oaks were limited to exposed, dry landscape positions. Oak competitive
status was similar across all landscape positions. Mesophytic competitors were widely
distributed across the landscape, including Prunus serotina, Acer saccharum and
Liriodendron tulipifera. Liriodendron tulipifera has emerged as the most serious
competitor to oak species. Liriodendron tulipifera represented 14% of the total density,
and 29% of the total basal area across all study sites.
Intermediate treatments can be used to improve the competitive status and
development of oak species where regeneration rates are insufficient. Crop tree release
and thinning by basal area control have been proven to increase diameter and height
growth and improve the development of live crown ratio of oak species. Treatments need
to be implemented as early as possible in mid-rotation stands in order to take full
advantage of the benefits.

Timber Stand Improvement

A Timber Stand Improvement, or TSI, is a forest management technique that involves thinning the forest with chainsaws. Our TSI projects are conducted to meet landowner objectives and to be silviculturally sustainable. Long Forestry performs a high quality timber stand improvement that provides better aesthetics and additional benefits to wildlife and the forest. We cut all stumps to within inches of the ground and we do not leave waist high stumps or angled stumps that could puncture a skidder or ATV tire. This technique also allows for the development of desirable stump sprouts and provides our client with visually pleasing forests. Prior to any TSI, Long Forestry inspects for invasive species, providing additional protection to the landowner.