Establishment of white oak, Quercus alba, seedlings for Cherokee basketry material

Establishment of white oak, Quercus alba, seedlings for Cherokee basketry material

Session: 
Poster Session
Author(s): 
MESSICK, Kerry A - Ethnobotany Undergraduate Student, Frostburg State University
CARR,Megan E.- Ethnobotany Undergraduate Student, Frostburg State University
McCAMPBELL, Michael- Graduate Student, Applied Ecology & Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University
TILLETT, Matthew D. -Graduate Student, Applied Ecology & Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University
SHARP, Ami M. - Research Associate I, Tree Improvement Program, University of Tennessee
SCHLARBAUM, Scott E. - Professor, Tree Improvement Program, University of Tennessee
BROSI, Sunshine L. -Assistant Professor, Frostburg State University

Cherokee basketry depends upon availability of material from straight-grained white oak, Quercus alba L., trees. Experimental plantations were established on the Kituwah site in cooperation with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. Over 300 seedlings were planted to study interactions among seedling quality, genetics, and the size of plastic tree shelter tubes (1.5, 1.8, 2.3, 3m), to determine the combination producing the most optimal material for basketry. Pedigree was maintained to quantify genetic components of growth and interaction with shelters and site. After eight years survival was 74%, and seedlings averaged over 4m tall and 71mm in basal diameter.  Four year survival by shelter size showed no significant effect of shelter size on survival (p>0.05) however after eight years survival was negatively related to increasing tree shelter size (p<0.001).  We recommend 1.5m shelters for optimal survival & growth.  Results will aid in future determining establishment protocols specifically for basketry materials.