THE WHITE OAK REPORT
TRACKING AMERICAN WHITE OAK REPORT
CURRENT AND FUTURE FORECAST IN
THE EASTERN HARDWOOD REGION
Quercus alba L. has long been considered an outstanding tree species within its range in North America. The Tracking American White Oak report, contributed by Jeffrey Lewis, Independent Stave Company KY's Forestry and Land Management Division Manager, and Jennifer Lindsay Kromann, freelance writer and contributing editor, is designed to review the current and future status of the species, especially as it pertains to cooperages.
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There is an abundance of data available on the topic; however, forest ecology remains a complex subject area that evolves over long periods of time, leading to a temptation to oversimplify or report data out of context.
The information contained within this report has been gathered from 20+ university researchers and USDA Forest Service team members, including peer-reviewed research, with the goal of providing both a bird’s eye view and detailed recap of what is currently being explored.
We hope this report will help those who are seeking to understand more about the future of American white oak, specifically for cooperages, and encourage future communication to enhance engagement with the many stakeholders who care about
this keystone species.
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​​*A note about the statistics included: numbers are presented in either the metric or imperial system according to how the data was originally published. While this is not consistent with choosing one system for all, it does seek to honor the original presentation of data by the researchers involved.
It is recommended to update this report every five to seven years to account for the new data
that will have been generated to best monitor ongoing trends, including those
relevant to the cooperage industry.
Discover the Future of American White Oak
This comprehensive report explores the current state and future forecast for white oak in the Eastern Hardwood Region.
From sustainability and forest management to climate resilience and the importance of regeneration, this research provides critical insights for landowners, industry professionals, and conservationists alike.
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Download the full report to dive deeper into the data, learn about key opportunities, and join the effort to ensure the lasting legacy of white oak for generations to come.