Prevents disturbance of the natural woodland soil surface within the areas circumscribed by the outer branches of oak trees, since their vital but fragile root system extend at least this far. It is imperative that these areas be considered especially sacrosanct during construction if the oaks' chances of survival following construction are to be enhanced. Retain natural conditions of the forest floor wherever possible. Organic matter is an integral part of the natural forest floor and should not be removed, since an acid surface layer of soil owes its development largely to decomposition of fallen leaves. Simulate natural conditions with ground cover under oaks, if preservation of the natural woodland floor is not practical.
Ground cover collect fallen leaves which become incorporated into the soil as organic matter.
Mulches of organic materials, such as wood chips or leaves, are good media in which to plant ground cover. Progressive selective thinning, done over a period of years, may improve the situation for the remaining oaks in thick forest stands where all the trees are in a highly competitive situation. However, this must be done gradually inasmuch as abrupt removal of too many trees radically changes the environment of the remaining trees. On construction sites, oaks with long trunks and small crowns are especially hard to save. Remember, that saplings are the future forest and that complete clearing of all plants except mature trees means that when the eventually dies, all semblance of the former forest will be gone.