Table of Contents ________ An Introduction to this The Genus Quercus in Republication . 5 Romania ... .... 33 In the Beginning . 7 The English Oak (Quercus RoburL.): An Oak Com· Original Introduction to mon in France . 37 the First Issue . 9 California Native Oaks: American Oaks in the Past and Present . 40 Landscape ...... 11 The Origin, History and Development o£ Arboretum Trompenburg . 19 Anyone interested in joining the International In tern ational Oak Society or ordering information should COli/t iN f( it·llll l'll ./t'/1 ,\'t'll of the membership office. Membershit du s ur · U.S. $ 1~ JH't Oaks Cover Dlustration: year, and benefits in ·lud · puhl k 1t in11,, Paiwing by Michael Angeard. conferences, and x ·hn 11 1' •s ol' S\'t·d . tlltd information amo n • nt ' lllh ·rs I1 0 111 \() 11 1 The Journal of the International Oaks edited and designed tions on six contin · nt s. by Russell K. Stare, Auburn, Illinois International Oak Society Contact the International Oak Society Business office: Editorial office: Membership office: A commemorative republication JLIY ternberg, President Doug McCreary Richard Jensen Starhitl Forest Integrated Hardwood Department or Biolo y of the first International Oak Society Ro ute t, Box 272 Range Mgt. Program Saint Mary's Coll ege journal, March 1992. P ·tcrsburg, Illinois 62675 University of California Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA 8279 Scott Forbes Road USA ·-mail : Browns Valley, California e-mail : strhl rrst @ao l. co m 95918 rj ensen@sainlm(lrys, •d11 USA e-mail : [email protected] u International Oaks An Introduction to this Republication by Guy Sternberg Starhill Forest Petersburg, Illinois USA even years ago, a few people worked with Nigel Wright to send up a trial balloon. No one could foresee how this first Sattempt to publish a journal for the International Oak Society would be received, and you may be able to sense the enthusiastic but tentative feelings underlying Mr. Wright's original introduction (see page 9). But the project was well conceived, with five invited introductory papers relating to conservation of oaks of western North America; horticultural properties of American oaks; one of the most prestigious of European oak collections, in Holland; native oaks in Europe, as represented by the enchanting nation of Romania; and a description of the type species of the genus (Quercus robur), from the perspective of someone living in its natural range in France. That first issue also contained seed exchange offers from France (Stephane Brame), Belgium (Daniel Dumont), Australia (Len Stubbs), and the USA (Dave Kenderes). While one of the articles was a reprint from another publication, the other four were provided by original associates of what has grown into an organization now comprising membership of more than 500 individuals, from approximately 30 nations on six continents. This growth has not come easily, but it has become a force which is placing the International Oak Society among the elite plant organizations of the world. That trial journal issue, produced on a photocopying machine in contd. on pg . 6 No.1 Republication I March 1999 Page 5 International Oaks International Oaks Republication • • • In the contd. from pg. 5 Mr. Wright's spare time, has been out of cal errors included in the original issue Beginning print for several years. Many of our (although any publication of this type is members have asked us to reprint it, so that likely to have some errors, despite our best they might have a complete set (all other efforts). We now are using a quality back issues remain available for purchase), printing process, and we have made every by Steven Roesch and to correct the original errors and attempt to produce a commemorative reformat it into the size and style currently publication suitable for your permanent International Oak Society founder used for International Oaks. But the library. New Berlin, Wisconsin USA reprinting was delayed due to the costs Our Editorial Chairperson, Doug involved, and due to other excessive McCreary, has been assembling our next demands upon the time of our volunteer newsletter and coordinating the comple­ had no initial plan to develop any sort of plant society . Jn the board of directors. The organization had tion of our conference proceedings, late 1970s and early 1980s I was very enthusiastic, and been in a period of significant transitional working from California and England. So I I frustrated not to find various rare plant species (in particular growth, which consumed the attention and am serving as editor pro tern for this special oaks, but they were not then a priority for me). I was energy of its leaders. issue. Everything has been totally re­ volunteering in the greenhouse at the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) That transition finally reached the point done--every paper retyped and corrected, Public Museum. At that time the Museum had a list of plant where once again it became possible to line by line. Doing this painstaking work societies, which proved useful in finding a few items. Most pursue this project. The opportunity was has brought back many wonderful notable was the American Fern Society, with its excellent spore enhanced when Diana Gardener, a memories for me of the early days of the exchange. This spore exchange prompted my first serious member from Oregon, surprised everyone International Oak Society. international correspondence. at the business meeting during our Second We hope you will treasure this I continued to search for rare species, but most (especially Triennial Conference by offering a very publication, and the history which Quercus) could not be obtained from commercial sources, even substantial grant from her personal funds, conceived it. And we hope you will join the as seeds. I contacted many arboreta, but they were not very thus enabling us to prepare this unsched­ members of your board of directors in helpful. I had read about the successful work done by John uled special issue without compromising extending our deepest gratitude to Diana Bmtram with his English correspondent Peter Collinson, and our budget. Gardener for helping our organization wanted to work in a similar manner. I just needed to find a "Peter We saw this not only as an opportunity, document its roots. Collinson" of my own. but an obligation, to produce more than a Eventually, I had my name and address listed in an mere reprint. Within these pages you will March 1999 arboricultural journal in England, seeking correspondence and find annotations about each author, some seed exchange. A few replies were received, most promisingly new illustrations, and a special history of from Susan Cooper and Michael Frankis. Soon there began a the formation of the International Oak very productive exchange of many seeds. Mostly, they asked for Society written by our founder, Steven Quercus - and so did I. Roesch. Many corrections have been A few months later, I asked Ms. Cooper if we might find more made to the nomenclature and typographi- contd . on pg . 8 Page 6 No .1 Republication I March 1999 No.1 Republication I March 1999 Page 7 International Oaks International Oaks In the Beginning • • • contd. from pg . 7 Original Introduction species of oak if we announced the There is a web site and member data base, introduction of an "International Oak the journal International Oaks, the to the First Issue Society" which really did not exist at that newsletter Oak News & Notes, annual Oak time. She agreed, and several publications Open Days in Europe, and triennial included the announcement. Soon we had conferences with major seed exchanges a small but serious group of exchangers, and worldwide participation. Those con­ by M. Nigel Wright with participants from several other ferences have become the greatest Windrose Nursery countries. Those early international mem­ assemblages of oak enthusiasts and Pennsylvania, USA bers included Daniel Dumont of Belgium, experts (and oak seeds!) in the world. We Stephane Brame of France, Stelian Radu have taken on a much broader focus, with of Romania, JRP van Hoey Smith of many of the foremost authorities on oak­ Holland, and Istvan Racz of Hungary. related topics listed among our members. editor, I would like to welcome all our readers to this first Then Nigel Wright proposed to begin a As you read this issue of International publication of the International Oak Society Journal. Given newsletter, and Guy Sternberg worked Oaks, please consider our mission dequate time and opportunity, I anticipate that many more are with him to expand the idea into a journal. statement. What priorities do you think the to follow. Mr. Wright prepared the first issue with the International Oak Society should empha­ Most of the articles included are of an introductory nature, to ease our articles contributed by Mr. Brame, Mr. van size? How can you participate in the way into the horticultural arena before getting involved with exact Hoey Smith, Mr. Sternberg, and Mr. Radu, achievement of our goals? The organiza­ specifics and scientific debate. Since this is an international plus a reprint from the California Native tion is fueled by the interests and vitality of organization, I have tried to include a diversity of material that might Plant Society journal Fremontia. All are each of its members. The officers and circumscribe the continuity of the whole. But I feel strongly that the republished with corrections here. He did board of directors who have volunteered articles are stimulating and worthy of bringing together in this first issue. all the work himself, and it was very well their valuable time to serve us need our It was also important to get this journal published so that more people received. help to make it most successful.