Oak shelterwood: How to apply the system to stimulate oak regeneration

The oak shelterwood system improves the abundance and size of oak advance regeneration by providing light conditions on the forest floor that support height growth of oak seedlings. The system is composed of two treatments and can be used to stimulate oak regeneration. The first treatment is a mid-story removal, a treatment designed to increase diffuse light levels for developing oak seedlings. The increase in diffuse lighting provides the appropriate environment for small, low-vigor oak seedlings to gain in height and vigor. The second treatment relates to the removal of the overstory that allows moderate to full sunlight to reach the relatively larger and high-vigor oak seedlings. These seedlings are capable of maintaining a competitive position in naturally regenerating stand. The mid-story removal and the final overstory harvest are properly timed and implemented for efficient oak regeneration.