The proposal for this project was developed by an interdisciplinary team interested in evaluating deciduous trees for Ohio environments. This team includes, but is not limited to:
Ken Cochran
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, and Curator, Secrest Arboretum of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
Pam Bennett
Ohio State University Extension, Clark County
Jim Chatfield
Ohio State University Extension, Northeast District and Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
Jack Kerrigan
Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County
Jane Martin
Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County
Balakrishna Rao
Davey Tree Expert Company
Dave Shetlar
The Ohio State University, Department of Entomology
Alan Siewert
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
Lola Lewis-Smith
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
Davis Sydnor
The Ohio State University, School of Natural Resources
Randy Zondag
Ohio State University Extension, Lake County
The proposal involves the redevelopment of the Shade Tree Evaluation Plot at Secrest Arboretum. This plot has reached and passed its maturity, exceeding plant spacing provided by the original plot design. The project would involve removal and selective transplanting of existing trees, and development of a new replicated plot for evaluating plants for selected horticultural, adaptability, and pest and disease characteristics.
The plot would include four separate sub-plots, each of which would contain multiple replicates of trees in randomized complete-block designs. The four proposed sub-plots would focus on:
Data and observations from evaluation sub-teams will be gathered several times yearly. Results will be regularly published in multiple forums, including OARDC circulars. Field days will be scheduled regularly for the green industry and the public at large.
Renovation of this plot is proposed to begin in 1997. The projected longevity of the plot is 20 years from the end of the renovation process, which is projected to take three to five years. A field day is scheduled for March 3-4, 1997, to start needed removal of declining older trees, to transplant some of the smaller trees from the original project, and to initiate stump removal studies and pruning demonstration sites.
The proposed project would be located at the Secrest Arboretum of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center of The Ohio State University in Wooster, Ohio, at the current site of the Shade Tree Evaluation Plot on Williams Drive.
Proper plant selection is the cornerstone of landscape horticulture, urban forestry, and arboriculture. Evaluating plants for their establishment, growth and development, and stress tolerance characteristics as well as pest and disease resistance attributes is the all-important first step to responsible plant stewardship. Proper plant selection results in lower maintenance costs, less frequent replacements, and lower pesticide usage.
For more information on the Deciduous Tree Project, contact:
Ken Cochran, Secrest Arboretum
The Ohio State University
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
1680 Madison Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691-4096
Phone: 330-263-3761
FAX: 330-263-3767
E-mail: cochran.7@osu.edu