A Shelterwood-Burn Technique for Regenerating Productive Upland Oak Sites in the Piedmont Region

Regenerating oak stands unproductive upland sites is widely recognized by foresters as a major problem in hardwood management. Recent research indicates thatoak regeneration is more resistant to surface fires than its primary competitors on these sites if burning occurs 3 to 5 yr after a partial overstory harvest. This combination of cutting followed by fire (shelterwood-burn technique) mimics natural disturbances that have occurred in eastern North America for millennia and appears to be a viable approach to regenerating oaks on productive upland sites. This paper presents silvicultural guidelines for applying the shelterwood-burn technique unproductive upland sites and discusses its benefits for private landowners and resource professionals.