LARGE, OPEN-GROWN TREES AS INDICATORS OF PRESETTLEMENT SAVANNA

The presence of very large, open-grown oaks has been suggested as an i ndicator of presettlement savanna. Increment cores taken from seven la rge-diameter (85-160 cm), open-grown bur oaks in a central Illinois pr airie grove (Funk's Grove, McLean County) indicate that these trees we re much younger than expected and, therefore, could not serve as indic ators of the presettlement condition at this site. We caution natural area managers that the presence of even the largest of open-grown tree s may not indicate presettlement savanna.