The Feather River RCD and UC Cooperative Extension are hosting an oak pruning workshop and workday on Saturday, Nov. 16, the agencies report. Officials will discuss management and pruning techniques for oaks and other hardwoods.
Following disturbances like post-fire clearing and site preparation, oaks often resprout from stumps. This is great, but many of these oaks have so many stems that they are growing as shrubs, not trees. With proper management, these shrubs can be turned into trees again, RCD officials report.
The workshop will practice pruning, cutting all oak stems, except for the three most vigorous stems. With some maintenance pruning in the next few years, these three stems will eventually grow into a healthy, multi-trunk tree.
Workshop attendees should meet at 700 Highway 89 in Greenville at 10 a.m. Nov. 16. The workshop will last two to three hours. Loppers and saws will be provided. Please bring gloves, eye protection, proper attire for utilizing hand tools, and other personal protective gear.
To find out more about managing resprouts, check out the following resources:
- Recommendations for Managing Oak and Hardwood Resprouts
- Response of Post-wildfire California Black Oak Sprout-clumps to Crown Modification; Early Results
Information provided by Feather River RCD and UC Cooperative Extension
