NCRPIS 2007 Fraxinus Germplasm Collection Trip September 25 – 28, 2007 Plant Introduction Station Germplasm Collections and Sites of Future Interest Sites of Future Interest Germplasm Collection Sites - Fraxinus nigra (2) - Fraxinus americana (11) - Fraxinus pennsylvanica (4) - Cornus amomum subsp. obliqua (1) - Spiraea alba (1) Map showing the locations where germplasm was collected/identified TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………….…4 Importance of Fraxinus conservation……………………….5 Reconnaissance Trip Plan…..……………………………….6 Reconnaissance Trip Summary………….……….…………7 Listing of Vouchers Collected………………………………..9 Alphabetical Listing of Vouchers Collected……………….11 Collection Trip Plan…......…………….…………………….12 Collection Trip Summary….………………………………...13 Listing of Germplasm Collected……………………………20 Alphabetical Listing of Germplasm Collected…………….26 References…………………………………………………...27 Introduction The USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station (Ames, IA) completed reconnaissance and collection trips to Maine and New Hampshire in 2007. Participants included: • Dr. Candice A. C. Gardner, Research Leader/Supervisory Plant Biologist, USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA • Dr. Mark P. Widrlechner, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA • Jeffrey D. Carstens, Agricultural Science Research Technician, USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA The objectives were to: • Identify and voucher Fraxinus populations within Maine state parks and the White Mountain National Forest during the summer of 2007 • Collect Fraxinus germplasm which is not represented in the Fraxinus collection located at the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa during the fall of 2007 • Store and backup collections at the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station and the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado, respectively • Ultimately conserve and preserve genetic diversity of North American Fraxinus germplasm in response to the threat of loss these species from their native range to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire 4 Importance of Fraxinus Conservation The emerald ash borer (EAB) was accidentally introduced to North America from Asia. North American Fraxinus species evidently have no resistance to this pest. Since its introduction in the vicinity of Detroit, it has devastated native Fraxinus populations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario, and it continues to spread. The loss of these species has cultural, ecological, and economic implications that warrant preserving the genetic resources before too much is lost to the insect. Trees, as do all plants, must be adapted to their environment to thrive. Natural ash populations have adapted to their environments. Preserving a significant number of these populations is required for successful reintroduction of these species, once adequate environmental control measures for EAB are developed or trees resistant to the insect are bred and introduced. Breeding resistant ash trees for reintroduction will ultimately require an array of adapted parental populations. Given the projected degree of EAB destruction to native stands, only well-conserved ex situ germplasm collections will be able to provide this needed material. The easiest way to assemble such collections is to collect seeds from representative native stands following a systematic plan. The seeds will not transmit EAB to non-infested areas. Studies have shown no loss in viability over 7 years for green and Euorpean ash seeds stored at 5°C (Barton 1945). Seed regenerations at the Plant Introduction Station (Ames, Iowa) reported successful germination of 9-year old green ash seeds stored at -18°C (personal communication Dr. Mark Widrlechner). Therefore, when properly handled, seeds survive well under medium and long-term storage conditions. Seeds can be easily distributed to scientists and growers to produce seedlings for EAB research, breeding, other scientific study, and future ecological restoration work. This report describes one component of a comprehensive plan to organize these seed collections. A GIS map, the Emerald Ash Borer Viewer, is posted on the Internet at: http://eabviewer.rsgis.msu.edu/viewer.htm, showing all identified regional EAB infestations and quarantine areas. 5 Reconnaissance Trip Plan Tuesday, 31 July 2007 Explore Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park near South Berwick, ME Wednesday, 1 August 2007 Explore Bradbury Mountain State Park near Pownal, ME; meet with Charles Penney, Soil Conservation Technician, USDA-NRCS Augusta, ME to cover private property near Unity, ME; investigate areas around the University of Maine near Orono Thursday, 2 August 2007 Meet Matt Hodgdon, Assistant Park Ranger, Grafton Notch State Park near Newry, ME; explore Moose Brook State Park and White Mountain National Forest near Gorham, NH 6 Reconnaissance Trip Summary Tuesday, 31 July 2007 Exploration at Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park resulted in finding only two plants each of Fraxinus americana (Voucher MPW#584) and F. pennsylvanica (Voucher MPW#585/Ames 29220). Specimens were located in the state park and on private property just north of the state park. Permission was granted to make seed collections in the fall on the private property. Noted good seed production on all plants. Surrounding vegetation predominately consisted of Tsuga canadensis, Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, and Acer rubrum. Good numbers of white ash trees with seeds were noticed throughout South Berwick with some specimens likely ~100 years old. Wednesday, 1 August 2007 Investigation at Bradbury Mountain State Park resulted in finding numerous individual trees and scattered populations of white ash. Unfortunately, seed production was void on all specimens likely the result of a late spring frost or other environmental factors. A very large white ash was located near Tryon Mountain (43°54.90N 70°11.85W – GPS WGS84) that could potentially be a champion specimen. During the afternoon, exploration with Charles Penney, resulted in finding numerous F. pennsylvanica around Twentyfive Mile Stream with good seed production. A voucher specimen of this population (Voucher MPW#586/Ames 29221) was taken. Later that afternoon, we briefly explored area around the University of Maine Rogers Research Farm near Orono, ME and along the Penobscot and Stillwater Rivers. There were a few F. pennsylvanica trees with seeds growing along the east edge of the farm above the Stillwater River from which a voucher sample (Voucher MPW#587) was taken. Additional ash trees with seeds were found along the Penobscot River stretching from Old Town to Costigan, ME. 7 Reconnaissance Trip Summary (cont’d) Thursday, 2 August 2007 Along U.S. highway 2 southwest of Rumford Center, ME, a nice mature population of white ash growing on the north bank of the Androscoggin River was observed with good seed production. A voucher (Voucher MPW#588/Ames 29210) at this location was taken. Next, we met with Matt Hodgdon, Assistant Park Ranger, Grafton Notch State Park, near Newry, ME. We found numerous white ash trees in the general vicinity of the park office and also farther west in the park along the Bear River. Unfortunately, there was insufficient seed production. Exploration at Moose Brook State Park and White Mountain National Forest near Gorham, NH also resulted in finding insufficient seed production from local white ash populations. Along the northwest side of Twin Mountain, NH, located along state highway 115, a large population of white ash with considerable seed production was noted. These trees were growing along the edge of the road (ROW). A voucher specimen (Voucher MPW#589/Ames 29212) was taken. 8 Listing of Vouchers Collected Collection Number: MPW#584 Scientific Name: Fraxinus americana L. Date: 31 July 2007 County, State: YORK COUNTY, MAINE Elevation: 70’ Latitude: 43°12'44"N Longitude: 70°48'43"W (WGS84). Locality: Vaughan Woods Memorial Sate Park – South Berwick, Maine Herbarium Specimen: yes Plant Associates: Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Lythrum salicaria, Cornus amomum, Rhamnus cathartica, Celastrus orbiculatus, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Carya sp., Juglans nigra, and Prunus virginiana. Biomass Type (seed, plant, cutting, herbarium specimen): HS Collectors: Jeffrey D. Carstens and Mark P. Widrlechner Collection Number: MPW#585/Ames 29220 Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall Date: 31 July 2007 County, State: YORK COUNTY, MAINE Elevation: 70’ Latitude: 43°12'44"N Longitude: 70°48'43"W (WGS84). Locality: Vaughan Woods Memorial Sate Park – South Berwick, Maine Herbarium Specimen: yes Plant Associates: Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Lythrum salicaria, Cornus amomum, Rhamnus cathartica, Celastrus orbiculatus, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Carya sp., Juglans nigra, and Prunus virginiana. Biomass Type (seed, plant, cutting, herbarium specimen): HS Collectors: Jeffrey D. Carstens and Mark P. Widrlechner Collection Number: MPW#586/Ames 29221 Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall Date: 01 August 2007 County, State: WALDO COUNTY, MAINE Elevation: 165’ Latitude: 44°37‘34"N Longitude: 69°21‘35"W (WGS84). Locality: Twentyfive Mile Stream/UnityPond – Unity, Maine Herbarium Specimen: yes Plant Associates: Quercus macrocarpa, Alnus sp., Pinus strobus, Fraxinus nigra, Acer saccharinum, and Cornus amomum. Biomass Type (seed, plant, cutting, herbarium specimen): HS Collectors: Jeffrey D. Carstens and Mark P. Widrlechner Collection Number: MPW#587 Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall Date: 01 August