Cutting Baldcypress off at the knees

2010 | Michael Arnold, Texas A&M University

Baldcypress, Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich is a popular ornamental tree with excellent ornamental features and tolerance to urban/suburban environments.  However, the tendency for this species to develop knees is highly unpredictable among genotypes and environments.  The proposed research would facilitate the development of clonally produced baldcypress trees with reduced propensities to grow knees in urban and suburban environments.  The objective of the work proposed herein is to test a screening protocol for determining clonal baldcypress’ propensity to develop knees as young plants to aid the goal of developing “kneeless” baldcypress trees.

Year: 2010

Funding Duration: 1-3 years

Grant Program: John Z Duling

Grant Title: Cutting Baldcypress off at the Knees

Researcher: Mike Arnold

Key words: Baldcypress; knee development

Peer Reviewed Publications from Grant:

• Arnold, M.A., S.T. Carver, and A.R. King. 2012. Four levels of flooding alter soil oxygen concentrations and growth and survival of Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. 2012 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, Miami, FL. HortScience (accepted for supplement) (Abstr.)

General Audience/Trade Publications: none

Presentations:

• Arnold, M.A. 2012. Plant introduction: finding the right genetics is just the beginning. Departmental Seminar Series, University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture, Athens, Georgia, Jan. 23, 2012.

For more information on this project, contact the researcher via TREE Fund at treefund@treefund.org.