"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
28 Jul 2023
A species of oak tree unique to Texas' western mountain ranges, which was thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in the Big Bend National Park. The Quercus tardifolia, also known as the late-leaf oak, is a living relic of a bygone climatic period in Texas' history when the state was wetter and cooler. The tardifolia keeps its leaves all winter and regrows them very late into spring.
Michael Eason, a scientist with the San Antonio Botanical Garden's Rare Plants and Conservation program, conducted a search for the tree with a team of botanists in Big Bend National Park's Chisos Mountains. The tardifolia can only thrive in north-facing canyons with plenty of shade and moisture, making the search challenging.
Eason and his team were able to locate two of these supposedly extinct oaks, take off some branches, and graft them onto oak rootstock back at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Eason now has quite a few oaks in his greenhouse and is shipping seedlings to botanic gardens across the country to preserve the species.
The discovery of the tardifolia oak in the Big Bend National Park is a testament to the importance of national parks and protected areas for conserving biodiversity. The discovery has highlighted the need for continued conservation efforts and research to preserve endangered species.
