02-04-2004, 10:23 PM
AMES - The mighty oak is the official state tree of Iowa. Treasured for its stately growth, oaks offer beautiful lumber and its acorns are loved as a food source. Oaks native to Iowa woodlands include the bur, red, white, black and pin oaks.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources forestry bureau chief John Walkowiak, oaks provide food and shelter to more than 78 species of Iowa wildlife. Squirrels, deer and turkey feast each fall and throughout the winter on acorns. Other wildlife species, including rabbits, raccoon and opossums, also eat substantial amounts of acorns. Even birds including quail, pheasant, blue jay, thrush, and the little nuthatch peck out the acorn meat.
A mature oak can produce more than 20 bushels of acorns in a good year, which occurs every three to five years. Not only animals and birds take advantage of the good years, the Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery buys more than 2,000 bushels of acorns.
After growing in the nursery, one million oak seedlings are ready for planting across the state. Some of the seedlings are planted on DNR parks, wildlife areas and state forests. Anyone with land to create a small forest can buy these seedlings for their own planting. Oak and other native species can be ordered from the State Forest Nursery. Call 1-800-865-2477 or by visit the website [url "http://www.iowatreeplanting.com/"][#0000ff]www.iowatreeplanting.com[/#0000ff][/url] for more information. The minimum order is 500 seedlings, which may be used for wildlife habitat and reforestation plantings.
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According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources forestry bureau chief John Walkowiak, oaks provide food and shelter to more than 78 species of Iowa wildlife. Squirrels, deer and turkey feast each fall and throughout the winter on acorns. Other wildlife species, including rabbits, raccoon and opossums, also eat substantial amounts of acorns. Even birds including quail, pheasant, blue jay, thrush, and the little nuthatch peck out the acorn meat.
A mature oak can produce more than 20 bushels of acorns in a good year, which occurs every three to five years. Not only animals and birds take advantage of the good years, the Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery buys more than 2,000 bushels of acorns.
After growing in the nursery, one million oak seedlings are ready for planting across the state. Some of the seedlings are planted on DNR parks, wildlife areas and state forests. Anyone with land to create a small forest can buy these seedlings for their own planting. Oak and other native species can be ordered from the State Forest Nursery. Call 1-800-865-2477 or by visit the website [url "http://www.iowatreeplanting.com/"][#0000ff]www.iowatreeplanting.com[/#0000ff][/url] for more information. The minimum order is 500 seedlings, which may be used for wildlife habitat and reforestation plantings.
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