Shovel Lake Oak Regeneration

The goal of the project is to improve the quality and presence of red oak after a salvage timber harvest. Natural regeneration was established quite heavily from both seed and stump sprouts. However, due to the amount of aspen regeneration and brush present, and the high deer populations, there is a need to both release the small oak seedlings from competing vegetation and to protect them from deer browse until they reach a height taller than the browse line. This project will be a great opportunity to create a younger age class of oak stand, providing mast and cover over the entire life of the stand. Taking advantage of the "free" oak regen and encouraging a "soft" conversion would be an easy, low cost way to increase our oak acres and balance our oak cover type across the landscape.