Summary

To burn or not to burn for oak regeneration? More burning is conducted in hardwood forests today than at any time since fire suppression policies were implemented in the 1950s. Many people have mixed opinions about burning to regenerate oak. These views are often conflicting, founded on personal perspectives, preferences, experience, or relegated to the local landscape that is being managed and investigated. Frequent cultural burning was certainly one disturbance in combination with others (chestnut blight, grazing, less intensive harvesting) that favored oaks before fire suppression policies. However, replicating those same burning conditions from 70-plus years ago to perpetuate oak with today’s environment, climate variability and management practices is not possible. In addition, contemporary forest composition and structure differ greatly compared to those in the past, and response to fire will also vary.