Maryland is partnering with the White Oak Initiative

The White Oak Initiative in Maryland

Maryland is partnering with the White Oak Initiative to enhance the low numbers of white oak (Quercus alba) regeneration in Maryland's forests. Without that regeneration, there will be fewer white oak trees in our forests in the future. White oak is an important tree for wildlife and forest products, and it's the state tree of Maryland!

Here are some Quick Facts about white oak from the White Oak Initiative.

What is the White Oak Initiative?

The White Oak Initiative was founded in 2017 by the University of Kentucky, the DendriFund, and the American Forest Foundation. It is made up of representatives of the lumber industry, colleges and universities, state and federal government forestry experts, researchers, non-profit organizations, and bourbon makers. All with a common goal of preserving this valuable tree species in American Forests.

white oak initiative image Several years ago, researchers using USDA Forest Service data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program realized the abundance of white oak seedlings and saplings were very low or not present in most forest stands across the natural range of the white oak. The white oak is treasured for its value to wildlife as an acorn producer for deer, scaggy bark that bats can use for rousting, outstanding wood properties including strength and a natural resistance to decay. Most of all, the tree is valued in the US for barrels for bourbon—the only type of wood in which the spirit can be made. Understanding that something needed to be done in order to ensure these critical values would continue for generations, the White Oak Initiative took shape.

The White Oak Initiative Assessment and Conservation Plan

In 2021 the White Oak Initiative released an Assessment and Conservation Plan. The plan assessed the current conditions of white oak across the county using the latest science and forest data. It found that shifts in land management and ecological changes resulted in a greater number of competing trees in white oak forests. These were often maples and beeches, which increased the shade and can persist in shady conditions that oaks cannot. The current pace of white oak regeneration cannot (at current rates) replace the older white oaks in our forests. Most white oak trees in our forests are old with 75% being classified as “mature”. Regenerating white white oak photo by David Stephens/Bugwood.org oak is critical to keeping it on the landscape, however, the study indicated: “An estimated 60% of surveyed mature white oak acres have no white oak seedlings present and about 87% have no white oak saplings present."

“…the changes are real, and action must be taken now to avoid a significant reduction in oaks and white oak in many forests in the eastern United States.”
---RESTORING SUSTAINABILITY FOR WHITE OAK AND UPLAND OAK COMMUNITIES: AN ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN

Figure 1: A white oak tree. David Stephens/Bugwood.org

Major Challenges Facing Upland Oak Forests

The Assessment and Conservation Plan found that upland oaks face several challenges to overcome to remain a sustainable resource on the landscape.

Changes in land use and protection of forest lands. Forests, particularly in Maryland, have become more fragmented over the years by roads and development. Fire has been suppressed for 100 years, and is only now becoming an option in forests surrounded by suburbs.
Excessive deer browse taking its toll on oak seedlings and saplings.
Lack of active forest management is allowing other tree species that otherwise would have been removed to persist, and increase the competition for oaks.
Invasive plants and insects have increased and put pressure on oak seedling and sapling regeneration success.
It is also unclear how climate change will affect oaks and oak regeneration. Currently, there is greater oak mortality in resent inventory data that suggests a link to changes in the climate, and greater rainfall levels followed by drought-like conditions.

How can you help?

How can a landowner help white oak trees in Maryland? If you own woods and are interested in managing the forest for white oak trees or oak trees in general, there are several things you could do. It depends on what stage of life your woods are in, and if there are enough mature white oak or oak trees available to benefit. A licensed Forester can help you determine that. The figure below, provided by the White Oak Initiative help show what practices can be used and at what stage. Click here to contact a DNR forester in your county that can help you get started.

**Figure 2 From the White Oak Initative, Assessment and Management Plan**

Planting and Acorn Collection

Although not as effective as regeneration under the right growth conditions, tree planting can benefit white oaks. You can plant white oak trees for a future stand development or underplant in a developed stand to help bolster the number of oaks trees. Acorns can be collected and sent to the state tree nursery for planting. The seedlings that are developed as sold for conservation projects across the state. Generally, seed prices have risen over the last few years, so any acorns the nursery receives can help offset that expense. Click here for guidance on how to collect white oak acorns in Maryland. Click here for acorn collecting tips from the White Oak Initiative.

Fire

Oaks are more tolerant of fire than other tree species. Oak trees put a lot of energy into the development of a root system early in their life. As a result, light top fires that burn through a woodland stand will often kill weeds, invasive plants, and other native trees with less developed root systems. Talk to a DNR Forester about a prescribed burn.

Control Deer

Control of deer in very important for oak regeneration. Allow hunting, find some white oak seedlings in you woods that you could put a cage or tree shelter around to deter browse, or even fence portions of your woodlot with a high fence to allow the trees time to grow and develop.

Maryland’s Participation in the White Oak Initiative

The Maryland Forest Service was successful in receiving two grants to help facilitate white oak restoration work in the state. These grants:

Allowed three DNR Foresters to attend a SILVAH workshop in Pennsylvania which can aid in evaluating a forest stands oak regeneration potential.

Figure 3 USDA Forest Service FIA Modeled Abundance of White Oak. This is a digital representation of maps by Elbert L. Little, Jr., published between 1971 and 1977. Darker shades indicate higher abundance of white oak.

Host a White Oak Initiative workshop in May of 2022 at the Baltimore Agriculture Center. 50 people attended the workshop which introduced the White Oak Initiative, discussed the state of white oak and other oaks in Maryland, identified threats to white oak and other oak trees, provided a region context for the importance of saving white oak, and demonstrated the Maryland Forest Service portable sawmill. Sixteen participants expressed an interest in planting white oak and 16 other participants indicated an interest in managing their woodland for white oak.
Provided white oak seedlings to landowners interested in planting trees with a high component of white oak.
Will help develop a demonstration area, so landowners interested in managing for white oak can see what a Shelterwood or other practice that favors oak development will look like.
Provided funds for nut rakes and shipping expenses for volunteers to collect acorns for the state tree nursery.
Assisted with starting a progeny test of white oak seedlings from other parts of the county to test how different specimen fair in the Maryland climate. Staff and volunteers will take measurements over the next several years based on criteria from the University of Kentucky.

Additionally, Forest Service staff met with landowners to help develop forest stewardship plans for 300+ acres of forest that focused on upland oak management.