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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
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September/October 2021
EAST CAMPUS TREE PLANTING SUPPORTS FUTURE RESEARCH
The honey locust trees were selected because they are a popular
landscape tree and has pests suitable for research purposes.
This tree is also a favorite of Dan Herms because he studied honey
locust pests for his master's degree, so he has knowledge about
this species. River birch trees have interesting growing habits
because they flush leaves throughout the growing season. This
makes them sensitive to environmental factors. The crab apples
are moderately disease resistant and may be used to perform apple
scab research.
"The main focus right now is getting these newly
planted trees established before research experiments
can begin," said Dan Herms, vice president of research
and development.
In the future, other trees for research purposes will
be planted.
"We have a list of about 10 species that have varying
physiological characteristics that will make them useful
for research models," Herms said. "In the arboretum
planned for the East Campus, for example, there will be
a climate change garden where we will plant zone 6 and
zone 7 species, which are not historically winter hardy
in Northeast Ohio, to illustrate how the hardiness zones
are shifting."
EXPERTISE
Over 200 trees were planted this summer at Davey's
East Campus to be used for future randomized research
experiments by the Davey Institute.
This planting is part of a multi-phase planting plan to occur
over the course of the development of the East Campus,
which is located across from the corporate office in Kent.
A team from the Davey Nursery planted the trees. The tree
species are mugo pines, river birch, honey locust and crab
apple trees.
Eventually, the trees will be used for plant health care,
soil management, water management, nutrient
management, insect/disease control and drought stress
research experiments.
