Got Nature? Blog

The White Oak Initiative – Landowners for Oaks series is now available! This series, made up of 11 publications, is geared toward landowners engaged in upland oak management with a focus on white oak. Three of the publications provide information on the importance of oaks, their biology, and an overview of common management practices to enhance oak regeneration and growth. Eight publications provide landowners with basic information on common upland oak species, how to identify them and important management and utilization information. All factsheets in the series are available for free download at forestry.ca.uky.edu/woi.

Landowners for Oaks Series:

• Landowners Guide to – Challenges of Upland Oak Regeneration
• Landowners Guide to – Sustainable Oak Management Practices
• Landowners Guide to – Understanding the Importance of White Oak

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics Series:

• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Black Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Chestnut Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Chinkapin Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Northern Red Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Post Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Scarlet Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – Southern Red Oak
• Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics – White Oak

University of Kentucky Department of Forestry & Natural Resources/Extension authors:

• Darren Morris, Forestry Extension Associate Senior
• Laurie T. Thomas, Extension Forester
• Jeffrey W. Stringer, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Mike Saunders, associate professor of silviculture for Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources, continues adding his expertise with the white oak publications. “Personally, I think these are great resources for enlightening the public regarding the serious concerns natural resource managers have regarding the future of oak-hickory forests in the eastern U.S. They set a great tone in describing a complex issue. The impacts from the decades-long, persistent lack of oak regeneration are not easy for most to understand. For example, one may look up and see all the mature, large trees and think “hey, this is a healthy forest”. But the true future of the forest is at their feet, and whether they see it or their grandkids see it, that future is not great. There will be a dramatic shift to maple-dominance in our forests, something that will have profound, and potentially negative, impacts on all the values we associate with the forest (wildlife, water, recreation and timber),” states Dr. Saunders.

The White Oak Initiative is a diverse coalition of partners committed to the long-term sustainability of America’s white oak forests as well as the economic, social and environmental benefits they provide.

Resources:
Sustaining Our Oak-Hickory Forests – Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment, The Education Store
“The Nature of Oaks” Webinar With Author Doug Tallamy, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Assocaition
Indiana Forestry and Wildlife: The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube playlist
Woodland Management Moment , Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
Indiana Woodland Steward, promoting wise use of Indiana’s forest resources

Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources