Scientists struggle to save dying oak forests - Hunting Related

[Township75]

This is an interesting read about oaks being pushed out of where they once dominated in Monongahela National Forest in the Central Appalachians. The article is based on work from a local researcher and what he believes is the biggest culprit - deer. He encourages hunting. Story below:

SNIP

There are plenty of mature oaks, but few baby oaks to take their place.

"We are marching down a road to losing the historical dominance of oak in the Eastern forests within the next 100 years, and once the process starts, it could be virtually impossible to stop," said Walter Carson, a plant ecologist at the University of Pittsburgh who is studying the phenomenon scientists call "failed oak regeneration."

Unless radical changes are made in forestry management practices, the economic and environmental consequences of this shift in tree species could devastate the American wilderness, Carson said.

Oaks provide a lucrative source of hardwood to West Virginia's timber industry, which brings in more than $3.2 billion annually to the state's economy, according to the state's Division of Forestry. The tree's familiar seed product -- acorns -- are a dietary staple for insects, migrating neotropical songbirds, small mammals, deer and black bear.

Rest of the article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_277628.html

[MrSandman]

1. Oak wilt isn't helping any...

But to be sure, I will get out in the Monongahela and harvest a few deer.

[Kolesar]

2. Deer over-browsing and perhaps fire is the suspected culprit

I'm old enough to remember when a deer sighting was notable. Now there are so many of them around here, that they are extincting the forest-floor flowers. I heard there is a city near me that paid $5,000,000 to have the deer herd thinned by hunters.

[MrSandman]

3. Fire exclusion...

Oak is a fire species.