Part of the mission of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is to clone iconic trees to ensure their preservation. The Central Park Beech tree famously planted in New York City by Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmstead was cloned in 2008 with assistance of David Milarch, then of Champion Tree Project International. Beginning today, the clones of iconic trees of Central Park are being planted in all five boroughs of New York City.
An article in Nursery Management Magazine states, “The Central Park project, sponsored by the TREE Fund, Bartlett Tree Experts and the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) exemplifies how advances in tree science have changed the landscape for tree preservation. In addition to protecting the existing tree canopy, urban forestry in the 21st century allows for preservation of the genetic material of culturally and environmentally significant trees to ensure that they are not lost forever.”
Hello, I am an arborist at central park NYC and was present at the cutting “ceremony” in 2008. I was just curious if and where (and when an article said May 1 2014) those cutting were replanted in NYC or in central park ? I musty have missed the memo if it happened here !! I am very interested in the program and the archive as a whole. Please send ,me any additional information and I will be donating to the cause as well. Thanks —-Pete Provenzale
After the cutting ceremony I saw the Central Park clones at Schichtel Nursery in a Oregon. Bartlett Tree and Schichtel were the point people after that. I was not included in the project after the Central Park cuttings were taken. Hope this helps.