Black oak is classed as intermediate in tolerance to shade. It is less tolerant than many of its associates such as white and chestnut oaks, hickories, beech ("Fagus grandifolia"), maples, elm, and blackgum. However, it is more tolerant than yellow-poplar ("Liriodendron tulipifera"), black cherry, and shortleaf pine ("Pinus echinata"). It is about the same as northern red oak and scarlet oak. Seedlings usually die within a few years after being established under fully stocked over stories. Most black oak sprouts under mature stands develop crooked stems and flat-topped or misshapen crowns. After the over story is removed, only the large stems are capable of competing successfully. Seedlings are soon overtopped. The few that survive usually remain in the intermediate crown class.