The purpose of this study was to determine whether habitat type (HT) could be used as an accurate predictor of oak advance regeneration across Wisconsin. Forest managers across northern and central Wisconsin were asked which HTs currently supported at least 40–50% oak in the overstory. Based on responses, the nine most dominant (representing the greatest number and coverage of counties) were selected to be included in the study. Because of the mosaic nature of two sets of these HTs, they were combined for replication. For each HT, 10 sites were selected, including 5 replicates of both high and low overstory basal area (BA). The main factors examined at each site were BA, canopy cover, deer browse intensity, and regeneration. Multifactorial analysis of covariance was used for data analysis with deer browse intensity and aggregate seedling height of tree species other than oak used as covariates. HT and BA significantly affected both oak seedling density and aggregate height. HTs grouped into three basic categories: one with low, three with moderate, and three with high levels of advance regeneration. Low BA had significantly higher oak seedling density and aggregate height than high BA. HT appears to have a strong impact on oak advance regeneration.

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