The lack of oak regeneration has become a widespread problem in the central hardwood region of the U.S., with most oak woodlands becoming mesic (i.e., more moisture). Oak ecosystems provide many benefits to wildlife in the Midwest by providing habitat and food resources. Fire suppression and white-tailed deer browsing have been indicated as reasons oaks are not regenerating. We have initiated a long-term project examining the effects of these two on oak regeneration and ground flora.