Oak Regeneration Aitkin Forestry

Aitkin DNR Forestry has identified approximately 275 acres of recently harvested forest sites throughout the county that contain a significant amount of natural and planted northern red oak regeneration within the stands. Due to increasing deer populations the need for protecting these seedlings and saplings from winter deer browse is necessary to ensure successful regeneration of an oak covertype within these stands. Oak was historically abundant in the native plant communities found within these stands. Without browse protection these sites are converting to other species that are less valuable to wildlife such as red maple, aspen, and ironwood.

Depending on available funds, the Forestry Area may also contract out timber stand improvement (TSI) work within these stands during the grant period. Reducing the competition from other species that are less valuable to wildlife allows red oak to receive more sunlight and grow above the deer browse line in considerably less time than when shaded out by competing vegetation. These more robust trees can then produce mast crops sooner.