Doc,

Oaks grow just fine in a fenced exclosure or in areas with low deer densities; here in Pennsylvania.

Deer eat striped maple, but don't impact it enough to suppress it.

Oaks prefer acidic soil, most northern hardwoods prefer less acidic soils.

The Bureau of Forestry has been conducting a 20 year Lime Study, and found that, even with application rates up to 10 tons per acre, species diversity in the regeneration does not increase without a fence.

Some species grow more rapidly, but only a few.

Deer browsing is the #1 problem, acidification of soils is probably #2.

J. Merlin Benner
Wildlife Specialist
DCNR - Bureau of Forestry