| Oak decline-induced mortality and failure of oak regeneration have become a concern in upland oak forests in the Missouri Ozarks. This project investigated the effects of timber harvesting on both oak regeneration and mortality of oak residuals following a suite of harvesting treatments in the Missouri Ozarks based on the sixteen-year monitoring data from the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP). On dry sites by year 10, clearcutting improved the density of oak reproduction the most, and intermediate cutting and clearcutting increased the proportion of black oak reproduction by 2% and 3%, respectively in the composition of the forests in the study area. Single-tree selection exacerbated the mortality of oak residuals, group selection and no harvesting had a similar effect on oak residuals. Intermediate cutting improved the survival of residuals the most. This project suggested well-designed silvicultural practices would likely reduce oak mortality and increase understory oak reproduction. |
