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Title: |
Professor
Emeritus of Forest Genetics |
| Phone: |
814-865-3281 |
| Email: |
hdg@psu.edu |
| Address: |
The
Pennsylvania State University
School of Forest Resources
333 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802 |
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- Education:
- B.S., The
Pennsylvania State University (1952)
- M.F., The
Pennsylvania State University (1954)
- Ph.D., Yale
University (1959)
- Academic
Interests:
- Genetic
improvement of landscape trees, Christmas trees, and timber species;
management of municipal trees; urban forestry extension education
- Professional
Affiliation:
- Assistant
Director, Research and Graduate Studies (1985-1992); Interim Director,
School of Forest Resources (1988); Chairman, Intercollege Graduate
Degree Program in Genetics (1979-1982); Executive Director, Metropolitan
Tree Improvement Alliance (1975-1980)
- Recent
Research/Educational Projects:
- Performance
Tests of Street Trees
The performance of cultivars as street trees is being tested through
a cooperative program supported by utilities and state forestry
agencies. In 12 years 59 cultivars in 10 genera were planted in
76 communities, about 5,000 trees in all. Annual measurements
of growth, health, and maintenance needs are being evaluated to
aid in selecting trees best adapted to various site conditions
and urban stresses. In a related study, the book Landscape Tree
Factsheets was compiled from a variety of publications and interviews
with arboricultural experts. The factsheets on 225 species and
cultivars contain standardized information and color photos of
trees adapted to temperate climates. An index of sixteen tree
characteristics was constructed for use in selecting trees that
can withstand various site conditions and urban stresses.
Community
Forestry in Pennsylvania
Two
surveys tracked the development of municipal tree programs during
1991 to 1993. Only 28% of the cities and boroughs had any kind
of tree program in 1991, and many communities were aware that
their trees needed attention and expressed a desire for technical
assistance. An evaluation of America the Beautiful grants for
tree planting and tree care in Pennsylvania concluded the grants
were effective in stimulating the development of municipal tree
programs. The involvement of extension and service foresters
was found to be beneficial in assuring technical proficiency
and wise use of grant funds.
Christmas
Tree Improvement
Improved
varieties of Scotch pine and Douglas-fir are being created through
a series of genetic studies and breeding activities spanning
many years and multiple generations. Selection and breeding
methods were developed by research on heritability of traits,
variation among provenances, crossability, isozymes, phenology
of flowering, and racial hybridization. Seed orchards have been
established, four improved varieties have been released, and
genetic qualities of several more are being tested.
- Selected
Publications:
Gerhold,
H.D. 2005. Landscape tree factsheets CD. School
of Forest Resources, Penn State University.
Despot,
D.A., and H.D. Gerhold. 2003. Preserving trees in
construction projects: identifying incentives and
barriers. Journal of Arboriculture 29(5): 267-280.
Gerhold,
H.D., and A.D. Johnson. 2003. Root dimensions of
landscape tree cultivars. Journal of Arboriculture
29(6): 322-326.
Johnson,
A.D., and H.D. Gerhold. 2003. Carbon storage by
urban tree cultivars, in roots and above-ground.
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2(2): 65-72.
Gerhold, H.D. 2002. Our heritage of community trees.
Penna. Urban & Community Forestry Council, Mechanicsburg
PA. 74 p.
Gerhold,
H. D. 2000. Crabapple cultivars tested as street
trees: second report. J. Arboric. 26(1):48-54
Gerhold,
H. D. 1993. Genetic improvement of Christmas trees.
Amer. Christmas Tree J. 37(1):29-32.
Gerhold,
H. D., N. L. Lacasse, and W. N. Wandell. 2001. Landscape
Tree Factsheets. 3rd Ed. The Pennsylvania State
University, Coll. Agric. Sci. 452 p.
Gerhold,
H. D., W. Porter. 2000. Selecting trees for community
landscapes. Chapt. 11 in "Handbook for Urban
and Community Forestry in the Northeast", J.
E. Kuser, Ed. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers,
N.Y. p 153-168.
Johnson,
A. D., H. D. Gerhold. 2001. Carbon storage by utility-compatible
trees. J. Arboric. 27(2): 57-68.
- Kleinschmit,
J., K. K. Khurana, H. D. Gerhold, and W. J. Libby.
1993. Past, present, and anticipated applications
of clonal forestry. In Clonal Forestry II, Conservation
and Application. Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg.
pp. 9-41.
Reeder, E. C. and H. D. Gerhold. 1993. Municipal
tree programs in Pennsylvania. J. Arboric. 19(1):12-19.
Swartzmann, J. F. and H. D. Gerhold. 1991. Genetic
structure and mating system of red oak in Pennsylvania.
For. Sci. 37(5):1376-1389.
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