A Comparison of Stand Structure and Fire History in Two Black Oak Woodlands in Northwestern Indiana

Abstract
The composition and structure of 2 black oak woodlands in northwestern Indiana are examined. Current conditions are compared with those existing in the early 1800s, based on public land survey records of the 2 areas. Fire histories during the past 50 yr are reconstructed from fire scars, age-class distributions and fire-control records. The frequency and intensity of fire strongly influenced stand structure and succession in these black oak woodlands.