The Interactions of Early-Fall Prescribed Burning, Different Cutting Techniques and Whitetailed Deer Browsing on Bur Oak Regeneration in Eastern North Dakota: Phase II
Abstract
This study was developed to determine the interaction of white-tailed deer browsing
with effects of clear and selective cutting, and prescribed burning on bur oak (Quercus
macrocarpa) regeneration in northeastern North Dakota. The study was conducted on
Camp Grafton North (CGN) near Devils Lake, North Dakota, using four treatments: 1)
dormant season clear-cut of all trees and shrubs (CC), 2) growing season selective cut of all
trees and shrubs except bur oak (SC), 3) early fall prescribed bum (PB) and 4) nonmanipulated control (CO). The study consisted of four blocks (replicates) using a
randomized complete block design. The interaction of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus
virginianus) browsing was determined using a split-plot design, creating browsed and nonbrowsed plots. Bur oak seedling, sprout, sapling, and mature tree production was measured
pre-treatment in 2006 and post-treatment in 2007, 2008 and 2009 on two 25 m transects per
plot. Herbaceous vegetation was measured using these two transects. An aerial survey
conducted 12 March 2007 reported 45 deer per km2 on CGN. Bur oak seedling density
increased (P ::S 0.05) 36 Months After Treatment (MAFT). Bur oak saplings decreased (P::S
0.05) at 36 MAFT. Bur oak sprouts were greatest (P ::S 0.05) on the CC treatment, while
the CO, PB, and SC did not differ (P > 0.05). Deer browsing reduced bur oak sprout
height, irrelevant of treatment. Clear-cutting increased bur oak sprouts 36 MAFT.
Selective cutting to retain bur oak trees did not enhance seedling or sprout development
compared to the control.