Clemson Extension Forestry and Wildlife

Interspecies Plantings to Improve Future Oak Log Quality

Figure 1. Retention of branches on lower bole for longer duration can lead to log defects. Also note the poor crown stratification due to decurrent crown form. Species with excurrent crowns (sweetgum, yellow-poplar, etc) are more likely to perform well as monocultures, similar as they are found in nature. Photo: Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck

The booklet entitled, Forest Trees of South Carolina (SC Forest Commission 2018) contains 18 oak species commonly found in South Carolina. Six of these species are considered bottomland oaks and may exist in the stream floodplains. Silvicultural researchers have investigated the beneficial relationship between different bottomland tree species (oak and non-oak) growing in proximity to […]