Saving Ohio's oak forests

Programs like A DAY IN the WOODS, above, help educate the public about forest wildlife — like salamander colonization at this pond in Vinton Furnace State Forest — and sustainable forestry management. Photo by Stephen Matthews.

Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES, through its involvement in the Ohio Interagency Forestry Network, is equipping landowners, industry professionals, and policymakers with the tools and knowledge needed to restore oak populations and ensure a sustainable future for Ohio’s forests.

The Challenge: Oak’s Declining Presence

Oak trees, particularly white oak, play a vital role in Ohio’s ecosystems and economy. They provide habitat for numerous species, produce acorns that sustain wildlife, and support industries such as timber and bourbon production, both in Ohio and Kentucky.

However, as large canopy oaks die or are harvested, they are increasingly being replaced by shade-tolerant species like red maple, which thrive under oak canopies and block the light young oaks need to grow.

“Oak forests are at a tipping point,” said Jim Downs, OSU Extension forestry specialist, who is leading CFAES’ efforts on the project. “If we don’t take action, we could lose them.”

Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Jackson, Ohio, produces oak barrels for the bourbon industry. A steady supply of oak boards are vital to this company's survival and they're assisting with oak regeneration projects. Photo by David Apsley.

The decline of white oak is particularly concerning for industries that rely on the wood, including the bourbon industry, which depends on white oak barrels for aging whiskey. Sustaining oak populations is not just an ecological necessity — it’s an economic imperative.

Ohio’s forest products industry contributes nearly $30 billion annually, supporting thousands of jobs. Approximately half of Ohio’s forests are located in a 17-county region in the southeastern part of the state, making it a priority area for oak management.

Over 31% of Ohio is forested, with roughly half of that land in the southeastern part of the state, within a 17-county Oak Management Priority Forest Area. With nearly 400,000 private woodland owners in the state, sustainable forest management is crucial as these forests face threats from invasive species, climate change, and fragmentation, Downs said.

CFAES plays a key role in addressing this issue through its partnership in the Ohio Interagency Forestry Network, a coalition that includes OSU Extension, Central State University Extension, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the USDA Forest Service, and other agencies. This network is working across public and private lands to develop strategies that encourage oak regeneration.

A small prescribed fire burns in the forest. This method helps remove invasive species or other trees that crowd out white oaks. Researchers are testing the effects of these fires on oak regeneration. Photo by Jim Downs.

“The ultimate goal is to sustain oak-dominated woodlands across southeast Ohio,” said Downs, who is also an assistant professor in the Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program.

“The primary way we’re doing that within Extension is through education—helping landowners understand the steps they can take to promote oak growth.”

Through programs like A DAY in THE WOODS and Place-based Woodland Owner Outreach, OSU Extension provides training and resources to help private landowners and foresters implement best management practices. These efforts include prescribed fire, selective timber harvests, and invasive species management—all aimed at giving young oaks the light and space they need to thrive.

Drew Arbogast creates a forest inventory plot on a site originally sampled in 1993. Research on the Wayne National Forest inventory plots shows forest changes and helps inform forest land types in 17 counties. Photo by Stephen Matthews.

Downs emphasizes that successful oak management requires a delicate balance of forest conditions.

“Young oaks are like Goldilocks,” he said. “If they get too much light, they lose to fast-growing species like tulip-tree. If they get too little, they lose to shade-loving trees like red maple.

“But if they get just the right amount of light—through carefully managed cutting or fire—they can develop strong root systems that allow them to sprout and grow rapidly.”

CFAES’s broader mission aligns with these efforts—combining research, outreach, and education to support Ohio’s natural resources and agriculture. Through OSU Extension’s role in the Ohio Interagency Forestry Network, the university is helping to ensure that oak forests remain a sustainable resource for generations to come.

For landowners interested in learning more about oak management, OSU Extension recommends reaching out to their State Service Forester at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for guidance, funding opportunities, and tailored recommendations.

With continued research, education, and collaboration, efforts to sustain Ohio’s oak forests aim to protect the state’s ecosystems and support the industries that depend on them.