An ecologically-based hardwood rangeland classification system for California provides private landowners, land managers, and researchers a unifying framework from which known ecological and management information can be retrieved. Standardization of type names facilitates the exchange of information on hardwood rangelands between and among agencies, landowners, and universities. As part of research funded by the Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program, dichotomous keys have been developed for the various type descriptions to ensure that the system is field oriented, and user-friendly.
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Blue Oaks Grow Slowly
Age analysis of Quercus douglasii , or blue oak, shows that, in general, blue oaks grow very slowly. On average, trees that were 7 inches in diameter were 100 years old. Although growth was slightly faster than this in some locations, even at the best site, it took an average of ten years for a tree to grow each inch in thickness.
Read full articleCanyon Live Oak – Current and Historical Perspective
Quercus chrysolepis, or canyon live oak (also known as gold-cup oak, laurel oak, or maul oak), occurs in a greater variety of habitats than any other California oak. It is present in forest, woodland, and chaparral areas on a large variety of parent materials and soil types. Canyon live oak extends from southwest Oregon to Baja California and east to Arizona over a broad elevational range. The species commonly occurs in narrow canyon bottoms, on steep side slopes and in sheltered coves. However, it is best developed in the canyons of the coast and transverse ranges.
Read full articleModeling vineyard expansion in California’s north coast
Many of the policy deliberations on the environmental effects of new vineyard development revolve around the potential application of the California Environmental Quality Act. In particular, some forest and oak woodland conversion has resulted from recent vineyard expansion. Timberland conversions receive CEQA review through the Forest Practice Act (FPA), whereas clearing of oak woodlands and shrub communities generally do not. While a collection of county and city policies target a wide array of oak conservation objectives, these were not generally designed to address land-use conversion resulting from agriculture. In response to the need for more environmental oversight for vineyard development, county governments have developed various regulatory approaches.
Read full articleDoes It Make Cents to Process Tanoak to Lumber
Oaks ’n’ Folks – Volume 17, Issue 2 – August 2001 California has the potential to become an important hardwood lumber producer. It has a high demand for hardwood lumber from manufacturers and consumers, skilled timber and woodworkers capable of
Read full articleCattle Grazing Effects on Spring Ecosystems
This study was designed to examine effects of cattle grazing on undeveloped, cold-water spring water quality, vegetation cover and composition, insect family richness, and channel morphology. As early as 1991, regulatory agency interest in nonpoint source pollution surfaced as a major issue for management of grazing animals on California rangelands.
Read full articleEucalyptus Can Replace Oak for BBQ and Heating Wood
Oaks ’n’ Folks – Volume 13, Issue 2- August, 1998 The uses of oaks by the construction, furniture, mining, and firewood industries in California have changed considerably over the years. The clearing of oaks to accommodate buildings and roads, or
Read full articleAgroforestry on California’s Hardwood Rangelands
Oaks ’n’ Folks – Volume 12, Issue 2 – September, 1997 Hardwood rangelands comprise approximately nine million acres- just under 10% of the total land area-in California. In contrast to higher elevation coniferous forests which are often publicly owned, about
Read full articleA Land-Use Management Plan: Examples From a UC Research Center
Oaks ’n’ Folks – Volume 12, Issue 1 – February, 1997 Regulatory and land management agencies continue to question the degree of sediment, nutrient, and pathogen loading to runoff from livestock management activities in grazed watersheds. To help ranchers in
Read full articleFactors Affecting Annual Forage Yield in Oak Woodlands
Oaks ’n’ Folks – Volume 11, Issue 2 – September, 1996 Hardwood rangelands are appreciated for the important non-commodity values they provide, including open space, rich wildlife habitats, watersheds,and recreation areas. Many of these values are reduced or lost as
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