Adaptation Strategies and Actions
Promote drought and heat-tolerant species: Promote adapted trees in oak/hickory forests
Promote drought and heat-tolerant species.
Forests are likely to experience increased temperature and decreased moisture conditions as the climate changes. Therefore, it is important to promote species that are well adapted to these new conditions. Maintaining and promoting a diversity of tree species is generally a good practice to ensure these forests have multiple ways to sustain important functions as climate and disturbance impacts progress.
Action
Promote adapted trees in oak/hickory forests
Central hardwood species, such as oak and hickory, are well adapted to warmer, drier sites. Therefore, you can promote whichever central hardwood species will best meet the landowner's goals. In some cases, high levels of deer browse or abundant invasive plants may limit your ability to recruit diverse tree seedlings in these forests. Refer to the resources below on strategies for increasing tree regeneration of future-adapted trees and minimizing these impacts.
