Cass & Itasca Co Oak Enhancement

Oak is an invaluable tree that provides food and cover to wildlife in Minnesota. Acorns provide high energy food to many species of wildlife and is especialy important to deer,bear and turkeys. Mature oak trees also provide hollow cavities for wildlife dens and nest sites for waterfowl. However, oak is not shade tolerant and growth can be slowed from ompetition and shading from other trees. Timber stand improvement methods can be done to enhance the growth of oak and also promote the production of acorns at an earlier age. Project sites are in mixed hardwood stands and have regenerating oak saplings or stump sprouts from recent timber sales. Project work will enhance, promote and increase the growth of oak within timber stands.