The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center is a collaborative regional research, development and technology transfer effort between industry, university, private, state and federal entities. The research unit’s goal is to increase forest productivity by improving the success and value of hardwood afforestation and reforestation, and the health and resilience of the central hardwoods. Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center researchers are advancing the science of hardwood tree improvement, genomics, physiology, and protection in the most productive hardwood region of the United States.

At Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, the research focus includes the genetics of adaptation, the health and protection of hardwoods threatened by pests and disease, investigations of edaphic factors affecting forest productivity, the use of artificial intelligence to analyze remotely sensed data, and collaborations for breeding and selection of fine hardwoods, including black walnut, black cherry and northern red oak.

Strategic Directions

Improve the genetic quality and regeneration of fine hardwoods, including black walnut, black cherry, butternut, northern red oak, white oak, and American chestnut through application of classical breeding, genomics, molecular markers, genetic modification, advanced propagation and seed production technologies, and silviculture.

Current Plans

The mission of the HTIRC is to advance the science of hardwood tree improvement, genomics, physiology, protection, and utilization in the hardwood region of the United States by:

   Developing and disseminating knowledge on improving the genetic quality of hardwood tree species and conserving fine hardwood germ plasm;
   Developing elite hardwood trees for restoration and regeneration of sustainable hardwood forests and riparian zones for production of forest products and maintenance of genetically diverse ecosystems;
   Increasing knowledge and developing systems for nursery production and plantation establishment;
   Increasing knowledge and developing strategies for protection, utilization and marketing of the hardwood resource;
   Developing recognized and respected science leaders in forest genetics, physiology, regeneration, protection and utilization.
 

Our research focus:

• Develop hardwood (oak and walnut) molecular markers for use in determination of genetic quality and population structure of current natural forests and plantations, and quantitative genes in superior hardwood trees. 
• Develop vegetative and tissue culture propagation technologies for use in genomics research and mass propagation systems for superior trees. 
• Develop nursery guides for production of quality seedlings and forest management guides for regeneration and reforestation of degraded agricultural land and riparian zones.
• Develop breeding and selection programs for black walnut, black cherry and northern red oak.