Measuring Stocking in Northern Red Oak Stands in Wisconsin

Stocking equations and charts for stands dominated by northern red oak were developed from data collected on 66 plots in 52 northern red oak stands in Wisconsin. In all plots, northern red oak was the dominant species. Tolerant species such as sugar maple and red maple usually formed a subcanopy. We used the tree-area ratio method for measuring stocking. However, we treated the tolerant subcanopy as a separate component of stocking. This facilitated defining average maximum relative stand density (100% stocking)for the main canopy or the main canopy and subcanopy combined.This approach is based on the assumption that shade tolerant species can exploit resources in spatial strata that are unexploited by the mid-tolerant red oak. The resulting stocking equations and charts can provide an objective basis for evaluating stocking of northern red oak stands in Wisconsin.North. J. Appl. For. 16(3):144-150.