Soil controls on Stand Density of Declining White Oak (Quercus alba L.) Forests across the Eastern United States

Management of white oak ( Quercus alba L.) stand density is crucial for sustaining forest ecosystems due to its influence on biodiversity, carbon storage, and long-term resilience. Understanding the role of soil properties in shaping stand density is essential for effective oak forest management. This study assessed whether stand density of declining white oaks differs significantly across soil property classes. Multicycle Forest Inventory and Analysis data were compiled to capture white oaks across the eastern United States. Stand density was quantified across plot systems using the number of trees per unit area. Soil variables such as texture, organic matter and total available water were analyzed to assess soil properties. Analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests revealed that stand density varied significantly with soil tecture (p < 0.05), organic matter ( p < 0.01), and TAW (p < 0.001). Among these, TAW emerged as the strongest predictor, highlighting the importance of soil moisture in sustaining forest productivity. The findings indicate that soil attributes are key determinants of forest structure and should be incorporated into silvicutural planning, restoration, and adaptive management programs to mainatin healthy and resilient white oak forest across diverse landscapes.