[Program information (data, reports, photographs) can be found on the internet at: http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/cotinus/arboretum_html/planteval.html]

December, 2003

This completes the fifth year of the statewide plant evaluation program. The current team of cooperators includes Dr. Jim Robbins, Dr. Jon Lindstrom, and Manjula Carter.

The three test sites are the Hope Research Center (USDA cold hardiness zone 8), the Little Rock/Cooperative Extension Service property (zone 8), and the Fayetteville Horticulture Research farm (zone 7). As much as possible the three test sites were prepared in a similar manner. Full sun plants were grown in row-type beds 3’ wide with a 7’ grass alley. Plant groups are planted together (i.e. trees are planted together). Trees are spaced 10’ apart, shrubs 6’ apart, and herbaceous perennials 4’ apart. The Little Rock site was planted on March 14, 2003; Fayetteville was planted on March 10, 2003; Hope planted on March 14, 2003. Irrigation at all three sites is by a drip system. Plants were fertilized and mulched after planting. Post-emergent herbicides were used at all three test sites. No disease or insect control was implemented during the first year. To maintain a tree-like habit, trees are pruned following final growth measurements. Pruning consists of removing the bottom 1/3 of limbs. SHRUBS are NOT pruned. Final growth measurements were taken at Little Rock on November 14; Fayetteville on December 4; and Hope on November 13.

Weather data at all three test sites is attached (see attached graph). I would summarize 2003 as follows:

One-gal plants were initiated from UofA seed. Plants grew exceptionally well statewide. Plants flowered at Hope and Fayetteville. At Hope, flowering began on September 18 and last for nearly one month. One of the plants in Fayetteville flowered beginning in mid September. Average plant size is 54" tall x 46" wide.

One-gal plants were initiated by UofA from an Arborvillage plant. Plants are growing well statewide. Plants did not flower at Hope or Little Rock. Average plant size is 28" tall x 23" wide.

One-gal plants were initiated by cuttings at UofA from Univ. of Georgia plants. Plants are growing exceptionally well statewide. Average plant size is 34" tall x 16" wide.

One quart plants were initiated by cuttings at UofA from Univ. of Georgia plants. All 4 plants are dead at both Hope and Little Rock. Plants are alive in Fayetteville but produced little or no new growth.

One quart plants were initiated by cuttings at UofA from Heronswood Nursery plants. All 4 plants died at Hope and 2 of the 4 died at Little Rock. Average plant size at Little Rock and Fayetteville is 24" tall x 32" wide. Plants in Fayetteville began to flower in mid-May and continued until frost.

Five foot bareroot whips were donated by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery. Plants are struggling statewide. Plants at all locations suffered shoot dieback. Again, we tend to see significant plant loss when dealing with BR trees.

Six foot bareroot whips were donated by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery. This clone performed slightly better than ‘John Pair’ with less shoot dieback at the 3 locations.

Two foot tree tubes were purchased from Forestfarm Nursery. Plant is performing well statewide which is amazing considering how small these plants were at the start. Average plant size is 14" tall x 8" wide.

The Ornamentals team would like to express their sincere appreciation to the cooperating nurseries (J. Frank Schmidt Nurseries, Dr. Michael Dirr- University of Georgia) for donating the plants for this season’s trial and to the Arkansas Green Industry Association for financial support.