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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Quercus (shumardii)

John Vandevender
Center Manager
USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center
P. O. Box 390
Alderson, West Virginia 24910
304-445-3005
John.vandevender@wv.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/wvpmc

Family Scientific Name: Fagaceae
Family Common Name: Beech
Scientific Name: Quercus shumardii Buckley
Common Name: Shumard's oak
Species Code: QUSH
Ecotype: Stones River source
General Distribution: Shumard"s oak is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the continental United States with the exception of the New England states, Delaware, New Jersey and the North Central states of North Dakota,South Dakota, Minnesota, Wiscinsin, and Nebraska.
Known Invasiveness: None
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Bareroot (field grown)
Stock Type: 1-0
Time To Grow: 2 Years
Target Specifications: A second spring seedling ranging in height from 8" to 16" with a 1/16" to 3/16" caliper stem and a compact, well developed tap root system.
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected from established natural stands within the confines of Stones River National Battlefield in the fall immediately after the acorns have matured and begun to fall from the tree.
Propagule Processing: Shumard's oak reproduces readily from seed. Seed has no physiological dormancy and should be sown immediately upon harvest for best results. Fall sown seed typically exhibits >90% germination, while seeds stored overwinter exhibit greatly reduced germination; typically <50%.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seed may be floated in water to help determine viability. Seed that floats is normally poorly filled and has low or no viability. Floaters are discarded, while the seed that sinks is retained for planting.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Best germination and growth of seedlings is in raised beds or sandy soil with adequate moisture. Prepare beds by deep rototilling or other tillage methods that achieve thorough loosening and mixing of soil. Seed are placed into 3/4" to 1" deep furrows scribed into the tilled soil. Furrows are spaced 2" apart and seed are placed 1" apart within furrows to optimize seedling development. Seed are covered with soil to a depth equal to 1and 1/2 times the average diameter of the seed; usually 3/4" to 1" of soil. Beds should then be covered with a 2 - 3 inch thick layer of straw to insulate against frost heaving. When seedlings begin to emerge, one-half of the straw should be removed.
Establishment Phase: A radicle is produced in the fall soon after planting. Top growth is initiated the following spring.
Length of Establishment Phase: 6-8 months
Active Growth Phase: Plants require little maintenance during active growth other than application of at least 1 inch of water per week during drouth conditions and elimination of weed competition. Weeds must be removed during early growth phases to avoid uprooting the Shumard's oak seedlings.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 6-8 months
Hardening Phase: Since the plants are grown outside, no additional hardening is required.
Length of Hardening Phase: None
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Seedlings are harvested in late winter while dormant. The best harvesting method employs a nursery bed lifter/shaker which undercuts the seedlings and gently loosens the soil around the roots. Bare root seedlings are then plucked from the loosened soil by hand. Refrigeration is employed to maintain seedling dormancy after harvest until shipping. Optimal temperatures for maintenance of dormancy are 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Root dessication during storage is prevented through packing in aged, moistened hardwood sawdust.
Length of Storage: 1-2 months
References: Bonner, F.T. and R. P. Karrfalt, 2008. The Woody Plants Seed Manual. USDA Forest Service.Agriculture Handbook 727.

Dirr, Michael A.,1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 5th ed. Stipes Publishing, LLC. Champaign, IL.

USDA, NRCS. 2013. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 30 August 2013). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA

Citation:

Vandevender, John. 2013. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot (field grown) Quercus shumardii Buckley plants 1-0; USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center Alderson, West Virginia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.