Life History and Disturbance Response of Quercus marilandica (blackjack oak)
Family: Fagaceae
Guild: pioneer, dry-site intolerant
Functional Lifeform: small to medium-size deciduous tree
Ecological Role: common on open areas and forest margins; colonizes dry, barren areas and survives on nutrient-poor sites
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): 100/230
Shade Tolerance: intolerant
Height, m: 12-15
Canopy Tree: no
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): Information Not Found
Mast Frequency, yrs: 2
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: late spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: Information Not Found
Seedfall Begins: early fall
Seed Banking: up to 1 yr
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: nut (acorn)/ to 50 m/ gravity, birds, other animals
Season of Germination: spring
Seedling Rooting System: taproot
Sprouting: seedling and stump sprouts common
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: open areas only
Moisture: neutral
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance response:
Fire: Blackjack oaks grow in fire-prone environments (savannas and prairie margins), and are well-adapted to periodic fire. However, very frequent fires diminish blackjack oak density and maintain prairies. When fire is suppressed in prairies, blackjack oak invades. Many present-day post oak-blackjack oak stands were former savannas. Blackjack oak is resistant to fire, but when topkilled it sprouts from the root crown or root suckers. Prolific sprouting after fire increases blackjack oak density. Only 3-4 years after fire, sprouts have been observed to produce acorns. Higher numbers of new germinants have been observed in recently-burned areas, indicating that seedling establishment may be promoted by fire. Seedling establishment may occur from seeds of surviving trees onsite or from offsite seeds carried by birds and other animals. Prescribed fire is useful in controlling blackjack oak in prairie and savannah restoration where it is either used alone in 4-year intervals or in conjunction with herbicides.
Exotics: Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a defoliator of eastern hardwood forests, introduced to Massachusetts from France in 1885. It has spread throughout New England into Virginia and Michigan. Defoliation causes growth loss, decline, and mortality. It feeds on many tree species, but Quercus and Populus are the most susceptible taxa, and trees growing on xeric sites are the most vulnerable. Various efforts have been made to control it, with mixed results. A fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga introduced from Japan causes considerable mortality to gypsy moth populations. E. maimaiga levels are promoted by damp weather.