Research and Collaboration

• One of the major criteria for Level III accredited arboreta is the “[p]rofessional capability to collaborate in some way with other arboreta relevant organizations (e.g. public gardens, universities, local government, NGOs, student groups, etc.) preferably with evidence of  existing collaboration. Examples of collaborations may include plant evaluations, research projects, in situ or ex situ conservation projects, educational programs, exhibits, public events, interpretation, collecting expeditions, plant exchanges, professional meetings and co-authoring scientific research papers.” http://www.arbnet.org/accreditation/levels-accreditation/level-iii-criteria

• On April 8, 2019, Draves Arboretum obtained four hybrid oaks from Cornell University, to be added to our tree collection. These trees are part of an ongoing collaboration of study between the two organizations. The oaks were hybridized between our native species and others from around the world, with many of the specimens having multiple parentage. Goals of this study are to produce improved oak cultivars for urban situations. Today members from Cornell University arrived at our facility to obtain data on the condition of the trees to include site conditions such as the soil type and its pH.

  In the following years, these trees will be revisited to obtain additional data such as twig elongation, leaf texture, and overall condition, with the purpose of producing better urban tolerant trees.