Ozark Chinquapin Tree Recent Updates

		ARBOR DAY 2009 Mrs. Mahurin’s 7^th Grade Class at Green Forest School in Dent County Missouri adopted this plot on their school grounds for an Arbor Day project. Mrs Mahurin and her students planted Ozark Chinquapin trees with the help of Mike Fiaoni and Stephen Bost on Arbor Day 2008 and planted additional trees on Arbor Day 2009.
ARBOR DAY 2009 Mrs. Blankenship’s 3^rd Grade Class at Licking Elementary School in Texas County Missouri, adopt a plot of Ozark Chinquapin trees as a class project on Arbor Day 2009. Stephen Bost (kneeling) helps with the planting and educates the students about how important their efforts are in restoring the trees. The entire Elementary School turned out with Arbor Day banners and signs they made for the special occasion.
		OZARK CHINQUAPIN MEETING At the January 2009 meeting, Rick Horton (Arkansas Game and Fish Commision) shares with the group his experience with the trees. This important meeting for restoration efforts was held at the Elk Education Center in Ponca Arkansas was sponsored by the Buffalo Scenic River (NPS) and the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation. This group of talented individuals were outdoors men and women from the Ozarks as well as representatives from Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozark National Scenic Riverway, Buffalo National River, Arkansas Forestry, Hobbs State Park, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, University of Arkansas, and Journalist from the Ozarks.
OZARK CHINQUAPIN MEETING Researcher Donald Hammer shares his knowledge about the origins of the Ozark Chinquapin at the meeting. Important topics such as successful test plot growing methods, genetic research, observations, discoveries, recovery action plan, seed exchange, and testimony were capped off with a lunch of Buffalo roast, carrots, potatoes and gravy.
		POLLINATION EFFORTS Chris Wyatt and Shawn Smith of the Arkansas Department of Forestry climb a ladder of a large healthy tree to collect pollen.

POLLINATION EFFORTS Stephen Bost pollinates a large Ozark Chinquapin tree in Missouri with pollen collected from a large healthy tree in Arkansas.
		Steve Chyrchel, Park Interpreter of Hobbs State Park with one of the three Ozark Chinquapin research test plots he established in 2008 at the 12,045 acre Park in Northwest Arkansas. These test plots are planted with seed from trees that exhibit levels of resistance to the chestnut blight (cryphonectria parasitica). Steve and Al Knox (not pictured) continue to find mature healthy seed producing trees within their park.

Shawn Smith standing by a healthy seed producing Ozark Chinquapin tree in Northern Arkansas. This tree was found by Christopher W. (not pictured) County Forester of the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Under good conditions Ozark Chinquapin trees can grow over 3-4 feet in one year. This tree in Southern Missouri grew over 5 feet in 14 months.

Mike Fiaoni (left) and Steven King (right) with a rare Ozark Chinquapin from Mississippi at a research test plot in Dent County, Missouri.

Steven King (left) and Mike Fiaoni (right) with a seedling that came from a large southern Missouri Ozark Chinquapin.

Mr. Allen of Howell County Missouri with a forked Ozark Chinquapin. Mr. Allen made the discover of this and other Ozark Chinquapins on his property when tracking a wounded deer. However, This tree was starting to show evidence of blight in 2008.

Jack Heron standing beside a rare Ozark Chinquapin tree in Mississippi. According to old tree books they also grew in Mississippi.

Stephen Bost standing by a large Ozark Chinquapin in SW Missouri.

Greg M. standing by a very large Ozark Chinquapin in East Texas. DNA test are being done on this and other Ozark Chinquapins to analyze their resistance characteristics.