Planting native oak in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

The extent of oak woodland and savanna habitat in the Pacific Northwest has been dramatically reduced since settlement in the mid-1800s. This report presents a practical guide for landowners and managers who are interested in reestablishing native oak by planting seedlings. Keys to successful establishment are (1) planting quality seedlings, (2) controlling competing vegetation to increase soil water availability, and (3) protecting seedings from animal damage. A variety of effective cultural treatments, including mulch and tree shelters, are described in detail. Although early growth rates of planted oak seedlings are quite variable, even within the same site, this variation decreases over time after the seedlings become established.