Managing oaks for acorn production to benefit wildlife in Missouri

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"Oaks are one of the most important and abundant hardwood trees found in Missouri's forests (Figure 1). Besides producing high-quality wood products, oaks also provide important sources of food and cover for wildlife. Older, mature stands of oaks provide den sites and cavities that are used by many species. The fruits of oak (acorns), hickory and walnut trees (nuts) are commonly referred to as hard mast. Hard mast, and acorns in particular (Figure 2), are used by many species of birds and mammals, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels and wood ducks (Figure 3). The importance of acorns as a food source for wildlife is primarily related to their widespread occurrence, palatability, nutritional value, and availability during the fall and winter months, when they provide an excellent source of needed energy. Many landowners are interested in managing their woodlands and forests not only for potential income from sales of wood products but also for enhanced wildlife habitat. This publication provides information on techniques that can be used to help make informed decisions on the management of oaks on a property for increased mast production and other wildlife benefits." -- first page

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Archive version. For the most recent information see extension.missouri.edu.
OpenAccess.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
Provided for historical documentation only. Check Missouri Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station websites for current information.