FOREST TREES

In Pennsylvania there are approximately 134 native trees that grow in the forest. About 28 of those trees can be considered commerical. Each of those 134 trees are unique in their characteristics and requirements for optimum growth. Soil type and aspect are important site factors for growth. For example, red maple attains optimum growth on moderately well drained moist soils (1) whereas; red oak requires a deep well drained soil for optimum growth (3). Red maple is one of the most prolific seed producers in the forest. A seed crop occurs almost every year and averages a good to bumper crop every 2 years (2). Whereas, red oak produces acorns on irregular intervals with every 2 – 5 years having a good to excellent crop (4). Some red oak trees are consistently poor seed producers whereas; some are always good producers (3). It would be wise to mark the good producers for future benefits. Another unique characteristic of oak trees is that a white oak acorn will begin to sprout as soon as it hits the ground in the fall whereas; the red oak acorn will wait until the spring to sprout.

This picture was taken of a red oak seed beginning to grow in the spring following a long winter nap.

This picture was taken in the spring. Both seedlings are approximately 8 months old. The difference in the root size is because the chestnut oak which is a member of the white oak family began to sprout and grow in the fall whereas; the red oak didn’t begin to sprout and grow until the spring. Because of the germinating characteristics of the white and chestnut oaks it gives them a better chance of survival.

This picture is of a red maple tree with a bumper crop of seed.

This picture is of a red oak tree with a bumper crop of seed.

Literature Cited

1. Hutnick, Russell J., and Harry W. Yawney. 1961. Silvical characteristics of red maple (Acer rubrum). USDA Forest Service, Station Paper 142. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 18 p.

2. Godman, Richard M., and Gilbert A. Mattson. 1976. Seed crops and vegetation problems of 19 species in northeastern Wisconsin. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NC-123. North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. 5 p

3. Sander, Ivan L. 1965. Northern red oak (Quercus rubru L.). In Silvics of forest trees of the United States. p. 588-592. H. A. Fowells, camp. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 271. Washington, DC.

4. Schopmeyer, C. S., tech. coord. 1974. Seeds of woody plants in the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 450. Washington, DC. 883 p.