Penn State University Arboretum
Penn State Research Partnership Office,
206 Forest Resources Lab
Penn State University
University Park , PA
Phone: 814-863-7192
Fax: 814-863-3600
Staff
John Oliver, Commissioner of PA DCNR (left) and Alex Day,now retired manager of Penn Nursery, the state-run nursery for Pennsylvania., Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources plant the first B3F2 seedling at Penn State Arboretum.
TACF and PSU Arboretum: A Great Team
By Dr. William Lord
On June 24, 2002, TACF Science Cabinet member Dr. Kim Steiner chaired an outdoor meeting at the newly established Penn State University (PSU) Arboretum. As its first Director, Dr. Steiner welcomed a nucleus group from TACF, PA-TACF, the Pennsylvania Department of Conversation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and PSU.
We gathered beneath an open tent on the ten acre plot of the arboretum dedicated to developing a blight resistant, forest type American chestnut. "Prior to the devastation of the blight, the chestnut was the most abundant forest tree in Pennsylvania and its loss severely affected our forest industry." Dr. Steiner briefly explained the back cross method whereby resistance to the blight is being transferred from a blight resistant Chinese chestnut to the American.
The method requires a minimum of six generations. Seedlings and seed of the fifth generation (B3F2) will compose the principal population of the orchard and will total upwards of 135,000 trees. In three to four years, the trees will be challenged with blight. The survivors showing a combination of highest resistance plus the timber type growth of the American chestnut will be cross pollinated to produce seed for the sixth generation. Then we accept our ultimate challenge, the return of our tree to the Appalachian forest.
On-lookers watch as the initial seedlings are planted.
Dr. Robert D. Steele, Dean of the PSU College of Agricultural Sciences heralded this day of fulfillment. "The arboretum has been decades in the making. We will have a living laboratory."
TACF's Marshal Case, introduced by Dr. Steiner as a "right guy, full of energy, diplomatic and very persuasive," expressed heart felt thanks for the dedication and perseverance of PSU, and of DCNR and for the breeding program of PA-TACF. Marshal also gave it to us straight. "The time and effort in constructing a germ plasm agreement satisfactory to all of our participants has been the most trying and frustrating of my entire career. But with this day we have arrived at the ribbon-cutting stage and there will be no stopping us now." He commended the work in progress, with special acknowledgment to Dr. Bob and Ann Leffel.
John Oliver, DCNR Commissioner, stated forthrightly that he is a fellow member of our Foundation. He praised the effective partnership between the State and PA-TACF in establishing an orchard at the DCNR Penn Nursery in Spring Mills and an orchard on State Game Commission Land #176. Each of these orchards and the Arboretum are in Center County. "The project will succeed because we have the goods."
Herb Darling signs the worthy document
If the meeting had a singular moment, all will grant the honor to the presentation by Dr. Steiner of the Memorandum Of Understanding. It contains the conditions whereby TACF and PA-TACF will maintain and conduct the operation of ten acres with the Arboretum. In brief, costs will be shared for two employees and TACF will have space for a major exhibit when a planned education center is completed at the Arboretum. When Dr. Steiner presented the MOU, all save one signature was in place.
On cue, TACF Board President Herb Darling bounded to the podium and with great elan, signed the final signature. Dr. Steiner displayed the document to enthusiastic applause.
Our group then moved from the tent to witness the ceremonial planting of six B3F2 seedlings. Tim Phelps, staff member of the Arboretum and PA-TACF's vice president elect, attempted to begin the dig with a gold plated gasoline powered auger. He pulled the pulley with such gusto that the rope snapped. No problem, Dean Steele and Herb Darling put foot and shoulder to a gold plated shovel and soon had two seedlings in the ground. Meanwhile Tim repaired the pulley and this time his golden machine behaved. Four holes were dug in seconds and the remaining seedlings planted and watered.
Everyone shared a feeling that they were present at a momentous event, a launching pad into a future of great expectations. Later in the day, 250 more seedlings were planted.
Penn State Research Partnership Staff
Penn State University,
0206 Forest Resources Lab
Penn State University, State College, PA
Phone: 814-863-7192
Fax: 814-863-3600
Sara Fitzsimmons,
Northern Appalachian Regional Science Coordinator
As PA-TACF's breeding program coordinator, Sara works as a contact for orchard managers throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In conjuction with those duties, she organizes and updates data for the Pennsylvania Chapter's breeding program. If you have any questions or comments pertaining to the PA-TACF breeding program or data management system, feel free to contact Sara at her office at Penn State University.
Sara is also Data Manager for the Pennsylvania Chapter of TACF
Sue Oram, Administrative Assistant PA-TACF
Sue Oram works part-time as the Administrative
Assistant for PA-TACF.
She has more than 10 years of experience in writing, marketing, and customer service in non-profit and for-profit industry.