Quercus Alba (Fagaceae, White Oak) Dominated Sand Forest/Savanna, Illinois River Sand Deposits, Mason County, Illinois (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT Quercus alba (white oak), a dominant tree of mesic and wet-mesic forests in Illinois, is uncommon in the Illinois River sand deposits. In White Oak Creek Woods Natural Area in Mason County, Q. alba was the dominant overstory species. In this small woods 10 tree species were encountered with a density of 180.4 stems/ha and an average basal area of 28.715 m2/ha. Located on an upland terrace of the Illinois River, Q. alba dominated the overstory and accounted for more than 70% of the importance value. Quercus velutina (black oak), Prunus serotina (wild black cherry), and Sassafras albidum (sassafras) followed in IV and accounted for most of the remaining stems. No oak saplings were present in the natural area, probably the result of a closed canopy due to fire suppression.