WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Now you see ’em, now you don’t. That’s how it goes with oak “regen” or seedlings growing on the forest floor. This year seems to be a bumper year (in some areas) with baby oak trees growing. Unfortunately, many of these tiny guys won’t be around after April. Deer browse on woody vegetation is most severe in late fall until early spring. If you have some oak seedlings you want to save, you can try and put a tree tube or cage around them to keep away hungry deer. Oak seedlings are not considered “established” until they are above 5 feet tall.
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association