The Black Walnut Tree provenance study was established in 1980 by Kim Steiner, now the director of the Arboretum at Penn State, and is now under the direction of Dr. Laura Leites. The seeds that originated these trees were collected from all over the natural range of Black Walnuts and planted here for study. Each row of trees comes from one location, or provenance, and the differences between them are mainly genetic. The study addresses how trees adapt to the climates they inhabit. For example, trees from colder regions are typically more tolerant of the cold and have a shorter growing season, while trees from warmer regions are typically less tolerant of the cold and have longer growing seasons. The value of sharing this information with others is to show the importance of seed selection when conducting restoration and reforestation, as well as to show the impacts of climate change. In order to learn more about the Black Walnut Tree Research Plot, please contact Dr. Laura Leites by email at lpl3@psu.edu.
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Sustainability Experience Center website.