As leader of the Center, Michler administers the HTIRC through its Strategic Plan which received endorsement from consulting foresters, state foresters, state tree improvement specialists, university scientists, landowner associations, hardwood industry stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental agencies and extension personnel in the 11 state area that comprises the central hardwoods region of the USA.
All of the research, development, and technology transfer objectives address regional issues and priorities, and in many cases address issues for hardwood regeneration in the Eastern United States. Specific elements that have regional application are:
1. Conventional tree improvement for black walnut, butternut, black cherry, northern red oak, white oak and American chestnut that will increase productivity through improvement of growth, form, wood quality, herbicide resistance and resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors.
2. Hardwood genomics, proteomics and biotechnologies for development of genetic maps and molecular markers to identify functional genes and determine their function.
3. Tissue culture, transgenic and vegetative propagation technologies, seed production and handling, and nursery management including development of clonal propagation technologies, development of advanced trellised seed orchards and seed handling technologies, and development of methods for the production of high quality nursery seedling stock.
4. Hardwood forest regeneration including development and testing of plantation establishment regimes for hardwoods, development of best management practices for maintaining genetic quality and diversity of hardwood forests, and development of restoration techniques for high-graded hardwood stands.
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