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Cross Timbers forests' composition a burning issueOklahoma Dramatic changes in the nature of the Cross Timbers forests over the past 50 years are a cause for concern, warns an Oklahoma State University forest ecologist. The Cross Timbers provides recreation, hunting, water, livestock grazing and home sites for more than 7 million people in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Steve Hallgren, an associate professor with OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, said the time is now to institute informed, science-based management of the remaining resources. "Current forests are at least twice as dense as 50 years ago and they have experienced a major change in species composition," he said. "The dominance of oaks has declined, mainly due to high mortality of blackjack oak and the encroachment of fire-intolerant species such as redcedar in western stands and winged elm and black hickory in eastern stands." The composition of the saplings shows signs that changes will accelerate if corrective management is not implemented. Prior to European settlement, the forests were most likely burned frequently, shaping the forests and determining stand density and species composition. "One of the first things to happen when fire was suppressed in these forests was the proliferation of rank understory woody saplings," Hallgren said. "This led to the encroachment of redcedar and other fire-intolerant species that could easily be killed by fire." The larger trees were unaffected by the low-intensity surface fires and died from drought and disease. As there was no fire to burn off the intruding redcedar and winged elm, the short-lived trees like blackjack oak died off. "The new forests of the Cross Timbers, with less fire, will be different and will support different species of wildlife," Hallgren said. "They will still provide many but different benefits. There may be related problems such as increased allergy problems with redcedar pollen." Division scientists are continuing research to learn what type of management will return these forests to their original condition. Hallgren said prescribed burning will be an important tool to manage the Cross Timbers, but that alone may not be the final solution to the challenges.
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