Oak Health Workshop

Oaks are among the most important forest species, both for their timber value and for their importance for wildlife habitat.   Oaks, however, have been declining in much of the United States due to the effects of insects, disease, and deer. In southern New England, the gypsy moth defoliation of recent years has resulted in extensive oak decline and death, with nearly 100,000 acres of oak stands killed as a result.

The Department of Conservation & Recreation will hold a free Oak Health program for landowners and homeowners about oaks and their health issues at the Douglas Municipal Center on Wednesday, March 4^th from 6:30 to 8 pm. The workshop is sponsored by DCR, the Forest Stewards Guild, and the Massachusetts Tree Farm program

At the workshop, speakers will discuss the importance of oaks in our landscape, and the effects of the gypsy moth defoliation, and what can be done with declining or dead oaks.

Schedule

6:30 pm          Introductions

6:50 pm          Why Oaks are Important and the Oak Lifecycle

7:05 pm          Assessing Oak Health

7:15 pm           The Importance of Oak to Wildlife

7:35 pm           Challenges to Oak

8 pm                 Tree Warden’s Hazard Tree Update

8:05 pm          Resources for Oak Stewardship

8:15 pm          Landowner Questions

For more information, call DCR forester Chris Capone at 857 406-0175