United States: Future of white oak used by bourbon sector appears dire

A report from the White Oak Initiative found that 60% of mature white oaks surveyed had no seedlings present and 87% had no saplings, forecasting a significant decline in the white oak population within the next ten to fifteen years unless action is taken to help the species regenerate.

Demand for white oak is global, including from the Kentucky bourbon sector which uses new charred oak containers to give their product colour and flavour.

Reasons for the decline include allowing tree species such as maple and beech to thrive and shade out oaks, selective logging of high-quality white oaks, and stresses related to climate change.