Pioneering Tree Improvement in Oklahoma

Abstract

The pioneering tree improvement work in Oklahoma started in 1965 when Clayton Posey moved from Auburn University to Oklahoma State University. Clayton was hired by Glen Durrell (Department Head) to fill a teaching/research position in the Department of Forestry. As a native Oklahoman, Clayton recognized the need to start some long-term studies with the economically important timber species in the state. Fortunately he had access to McIntire-Stennis funds which he used to initiate studies with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides). Tree selection started in 1966 and concurrently the Kiamichi Field Station was transferred to the Forestry Department from Horticulture. In typical Oklahoma fashion a strong spirit of cooperation emerged with Dierks Lumber Company (soon to be acquired by Weyerhaeuser), Herron Lumber Company, Oklahoma Forestry Division, and the Tiak District of the Ouachita National Forest all assisting with the program. The cooperative spirit was formalized in 1980 when the Oklahoma Forestry Division officially joined the Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program.