Ed: Yes, bracken fern is known to inhibit growth of tree seedlings. In WI and MN balsam fir and white spruce appear to be somewhat resistant to bracken and slowly colonize bracken grasslands that were created after logging and burning at the time of European settlement of the northwoods.
It has been proposed that bracken is allelopathic. Experiments have shown that tree seeds have lower germination rates when exposed to an extract made from bracken and that seedlings also grow slower. The fern also is a good competitor even without chemical means. It can shade out small seedlings beneath it, and is very good at using up soil moisture, leaving little for other species. Lee Edward Frank wrote: > Barry, > > Thanks for confirming the ID. It really makes sense because the area > was created by fire events and there is also an association with Pitch > Pine here also. I called it Bear Oak because that is what my Audubon > Guide called it. I listed the Latin name as I know it is called by > several different names in different areas. I am still unsure about > the lack of regeneration. The dominant trees are ones that grew right > after the fire sequences, maybe we need another fire at the site to > get them to regrow. I would think however that eighty to a hundred > years would have created enough organic soil for other species to be > sprouting. Does anyone know if the common bracken fern somehow > inhibits the growth of tree seedlings? > > Ed > > > "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. > It is the source of all true art and all science." - Albert Einstein > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
