Prairie Stature™ Oak -- Quercus x Mbimundorum ‘Midwest’
RFM-38
Horticulture Cultivar RFM-38
Prairie Stature™ Semi-pyramidal
form
Description
This oak is being introduced in collaboration with Dr. Mark Widrlechner, USDA - ARS, North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Six seedling trees, labeled Quercur robur - English Oak were received for cooperative trial via the NC-7 program in 1972. One seedling is outstanding in landscape features, including quality emerald-green, semi-glossy, leathery foliage, red coloration in autumn, retention of tannish leaves into winter, and a fairly dense, pyramidal form. It has averaged 14 inches of growth per year for 33 years, being 39-1/2 feet tall in 2005. This tree merits attention for asexual propagation by commercial nursery propagators for its outstanding attributes. It is extremely difficult to propagate clonally by cuttings or in tissue culture. Limited propagation trials at NDSU have produced success rates of 21 to 53% utilizing various grafting/budding techniques. It is believed to be a hybrid oak with English Oak x White Oak (Q. alba) parentage. This oak hybrid holds considerable promise for landscapes in USDA zones 3-5 if it becomes available in the commercial nursery trade utilizing clonal propagation methods. Prairie Stature™ will reach semi-mature height of 30 to 40 feet in 25 to 30 years.
Quality foliage
Tan leaves cling in fall
Potential Uses or Applications
Nursery stock, shade, boulevard, and specimen landscape tree
Development Stage
Plant material can be obtained from NDSU Plant Sciences Department or designated nursery subject to availability.
Patent Status
U.S. Trademark registered – Prairie Stature™
Licensing Status
This cultivar is available for non-exclusive licensing.
Red autumn color