Northern red oak progeny trial, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center

These data were collected from three red oak (Quercus rubra) progeny trial plantations managed by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC). Open-pollinated seeds from 92 red oak families were germinated and grown at the Vallonia Nursery in Indiana. In 2007 and 2008 these seedlings were planted on three plantations (referred to as 115, 117, and 119 in the HTIRC database) in Tippecanoe county, Indiana on property owned by Purdue University. Trees were planted 8 feet apart in alternating rows with bur oak, which was removed at age 9. Data obtained between fall of 2017 and spring 2018, after 11 or 12 growing seasons (including 1 year in nursery), include height, diameter, branch angle, number of branches below 1 inch in diameter, sweep, and presence of a 12 foot log without serious defect. Traits except height and diameter were rated categorically.
Data were collected to evaluate growth and form differences among red oak families. Trees will be used for selection as part of genetic improvement program.
We expect these plantations to be measured at a minimum every three years. All three locations will be thinned beginning in winter 2021 so not all trees will be measured after 2021. Data from measures after 2021 or data related to other red oak progeny trials of similar age are available from HTIRC by contacting the project leader (currently Keith E. Woeste, 574-370-3020; keith.woeste@usda.gov) or the director of HTIRC (currently Matthew D. Ginzel, Purdue University, mginzel@purdue.edu; 765-490-9522, https://htirc.org/). These data were published on 07/13/2021. Minor metadata updates were made on 11/22/2024. For more information about this study and these data, see Woeste et al. (2021).