Why are Oak Trees Disappearing?

Oak trees have long towered over the old growth forests of southwest Ohio. They're a vital food source for wildlife and a host plant for hundreds of species of butterflies and moths. But why are we seeing so few baby oaks in our forests? Danielle Frevola, Research Ecologist, explores possible reasons for the slowdown of Oak regeneration and explains how Cincinnati Nature Center is attempting to find answers through science.

[kerrygilpin]

Maples (and beech and holly) are a natural succession species to oak-hickory forests. They can grow in shade, whereas oaks have a harder time getting started in full shade. Also, one hypothesis you didn't mention is white tail deer over-browse. In Virginia we're seeing whole forests decimated by white tail deer. Where deer eclosures are installed, oak-hickory forests grow very healthily.

[jollyjokress]

I am so thanksful that all overthe world people exist that care about more pristine ecosystems!

[OwlAtHome]

Beautiful & informative video! Thanks for posting this.

[MrSummerbreeze]

My observations on my woodlots: 1. Deer devastate oak seedlings; 2. invasives 3.Shade tolerant species competition 4. Winter girdling by rodents

[myretiredhobbiesgainesvill]

Very interesting. I hope you do a video in the future to let us know what your experiments with the oaks revealed. Great work and thanks for sharing.

[carolynrutherford]

We planted an oak tree in our yard, for our granddaughter to have when she is older and we are gone. It has been growing straight and strong for about 7 years now, and we hope will generate more oaks in the woods behind us later. Not sure they can with other trees there to shade them if they sprout, but it would take decades to make any difference. We will likely be gone by then.

[bobreckers]

Our former ODNR Southwest District Forester Al Beal, ended my ideas about Oak being a climax species. Oak is not so shade-tolerant as Maple, Oak likes full sun, he told me. Years of observation have confirmed his statements. Without at least partial sun, Oaks are so slow growing they often become victims of foot traffic and browsing. Honeysuckle certainly suppresses them as well.