Research has shown that there is inadequate reproduction and recruitment of white oak and other upland oaks, which if left unchecked will create a shortcoming of large white oak (upland oak) sawtimber in decades to come throughout the white oak sourcing region.

This year, the Landscape Scale Restoration Grant was approved and funded for upland oak sustainability and management in the Central Hardwood Region.  This is a $2.3 million, three year grant project involving 17 states (partnered with a Region 9 companion LSR Grant) and the collaboration of over 20 key partners and stakeholders. Through efforts and communication involving the 17 state’s management representatives, a list of upland oaks that occur with white oak and that will necessarily benefit from management focused on white oak has been established.  Also in progress is the development of a complete set of silvicultural guidelines created with the assistance of oak researchers at universities throughout the span of 17 states involved in the White Oak Initiative and the US Forest Service.  

These silvicultural guidelines and practices will provide a foundation in generating other deliverables and outputs such as technical trainings for foresters and managers, landowner friendly informational guides, and web resources.  Demonstration areas throughout the 17 states will be established to offer visual proof that the practices, guidelines, tools, and techniques provided by the White Oak Initiative can successfully produce white oak (upland oak) forests that meet our management goals for decades to come.