Effects of Stump Diameter on Sprout Number and Size for Three Oak Species in a Pennsylvania Clearcut

In a 2004 clearcut of a former even-aged oak (Quarcus) forest, we examined the number and maximum height of stump sprouts for three oak species in east-central Pennsylvania. The greatest number of sprouts was produced by black oak (Quercus velutina) and chestnut oak (Q. montana) as compared with white oak (Q. alba). Logistic regression showed that diameter of stumps was a significant factor in determining the probability of sprouting for black oak, and an inverse relationship between stump diameter and the number of sprouts per stump was found for all three species. The number of white oak sprouts peaked in the 10-20-cm diameter (loss and declined on larger stumps. The number of block oak sprouts peaked in the 20-50-cm classes, and trees in the 70-80-cm class produced the fewest sprouts. The mean annual growth of the tallest sprout on each stump was greater for block oak and chestnut oak than white oak.