To water or not to water….an oak. That's the question. If only Shakespeare could answer our questions as eloquently as in his plays. In a state where the motto has become “brown is the new green” as people allow irrigated lawns to die, more and more folks are concerned over the potential loss of oak trees in their garden. These trees not only provide shade and aesthetic appeal they also can provide tremendous real value to a piece of property. In some cases, fixture oaks have a sentimental story…a place where a wedding occurred; or a child once had a swing hanging from its branches; or even memories of planting an acorn with a child and watching the sprout grow into a magnificent tree.

The extraordinary drought has caused many to reconsider the mantra of “don't water oaks” as excessive water can lead to the development and spread of root pathogens that can weaken or even kill oak trees. But if we consider what is being asked of trees in this drought it gives us pause to rethink our approach to providing water to insure that these trees will survive. In some parts of the state oaks are being deprived of water for as long as nine months, in some cases even longer, creating extreme water stress in trees. Stress provides an opportunity for other pests and diseases to expand and further stress the oaks. Ultimately, trees will succumb to the multiple stress impacts brought on by the drought.

Though against all past conventional wisdom we are now suggesting to those concerned and asking about their “fixture” oaks that a once-a-month irrigation be provided during the dry months in an attempt to sustain the trees until the onset of winter rains. Obviously, this can only be considered if one might have water to spare or is not under severe mandatory water rationing.

The once-a-month irrigation should be directed and concentrated below the drip-line of the tree. This is the area directly below the branches. Sufficient water should be provided to insure percolation down to 12-18” below the soil line.

It's important to allow the soil to dry out completely between irrigations to reduce the risk of root diseases. Moderation is the key to this strategy and should only be considered a stop-gap measure until the drought conditions have abated.

The 7th California Oak Symposium: Managing Oak Woodlands in a Dynamic California, will be held November 3-6, 2014 in Visalia, California. Complete details on the Symposium can be viewed on the website. 

We are requesting abstracts for oral presentations and posters on scientific studies or management case studies on any aspect of oak woodland management, ecology and conservation in California. See the list of sessions below. Abstracts are due May 15, 2014. Each abstract will be reviewed for technical merit by a peer review committee, and accepted abstracts will be notified by July 1, 2014. Abstracts accepted for oral presentations are expected to prepare a manuscript for inclusion in the Proceedings of the Symposium, to be published as a USDA Forest Service General Technical Report. Style instructions will be provided at the time of acceptance. Posters will be published as abstracts only. Papers will be due during the Symposium (November 3-6, 2014).

List of Topics:

• Range management
• Oak Ecology
• Wildlife and Biodiversity
• Silviculture
• Regeneration & Restoration
• Urban forestry & Arboriculture
• Genetics
• Soils & Physical Processes
• Economics, Social Sci.
• Policy: Local, State, Federal
• Ecosystem Services
• Cultural Values
• Insects & Disease
• Fire & Disturbance
• Monitoring and Inventory
• Climate & Atmosphere
• Carbon Storage and Cycles
• Products & Utilization

Submit Abstract HERE

Deadline for Abstracts: May 15, 2014

Questions Can be Directed to the Symposium Steering Committee:

• Rick Standiford, UC Berkeley - standifo@berkeley.edu
• Tom Scott, UC Berkeley/Riverside - thomas.scott@ucr.edu
• Kathryn Purcell - kpurcell@fs.fed.us
• Bill Tietje - tietje@berkeley.edu
• Julie Finzel - jafinzel@ucanr.edu
• Sherry Cooper, UC ANR - slcooper@ucanr.edu

 

General Overview

Beginning in 1979, there have been a series of symposia held every 5 to 7 years addressing the state of our knowledge about science, policy and management factors affecting California’s oak resource. This upcoming program represents the 7^th symposium in the series. California’s oak woodlands cover 10 percent of the state, and in addition, are a key ecological component of conifer forests. Oak woodlands are the most biologically diverse broad habitat in the state, making conservation of their ecosystem values an important policy and management priority. The meeting location in the San Joaquin Valley, is conveniently situated for both northern and southern California oak scientists, managers, policy makers and interest groups, and provides opportunities for field trips to valley oak riparian forests, foothill woodlands, and oaks in mixed conifer forests.

Audience

The conference is intended for anyone involved in research, education, management, and conservation of California’s oak woodlands. This includes foresters, range managers, tribes, arborists, landowners, community groups, land trusts and policy makers.

Call for Papers

A general call for papers will be issued February 15, 2014. Check out the conference website for the general call when it is available. Sessions will include:

• Range management
• Oak Ecology
• Wildlife and Biodiversity
• Silviculture
• Regeneration & Restoration
• Urban forestry & Arboriculture
• Genetics
• Soils & Physical Processes
• Economics, Policy, Social Sci.
• Cultural Values
• Insects & Disease
• Fire & Disturbance
• Monitoring and Inventory
• Climate & Atmosphere
• Carbon Storage and Cycles
• Products & Utilization

Sponsors

• University of California Oak Woodland Conservation Program
• University of California, Berkeley, Center for Forestry
• University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station

 

 

 

Oaks in the Urban Landscape: Selection, Care, and Preservation is the most current and comprehensive handbook available for the management of oak trees. Join authors Larry Costello, Bruce Hagen and Katherine Jones, along with UC Cooperative Extension's Dr. James Downer, in presenting an overview of this impressive book. Information on the program can be found at this LINK. There is a preview video on the program available here. 

Ordering Copies of the Book: The book can be ordered from UC ANR publications at this LINK. 

Meeting Information: 

• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
• Oct. 10, 2013, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• 6 CEUs from the International Society of Arboriculture

Registration Information:

Registration for this program is available here. Questions? 1-866-785-8960