ghostsofevolution | Florida Torreya in Louisiana - Mature Grove with Seedlings (2018) @ghostsofevolution | Uploaded February 2019 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
Site visit to Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve by two Torreya Guardians 15 November 2018. Of the four long-ago horticultural plantings outside of Florida that produce seeds that have germinated into seedlings nearby (with no human help), this mature grove of Florida Torreya in Louisiana is the first one in which knowledgeable local guides could provide the complete oral history and answer questions posed by Torreya Guardians. This is thus a superb example of why "natural history" observations and inquiry can crucially help the development of best practices for "assisted migration" recovery actions to ensure that this climate-endangered tree does not slide into extinction.
Because wild Torreya ("left behind" in its tiny "peak glacial" refuge in Florida) failed to maintain mature stems beginning 70 or 80 years ago, this set of mature trees outplanted in Louisiana in 1950 offers one of very few opportunities to discern the "natural history" and adaptive forms taken on by this highly endangered species. All it needs is to be given an opportunity to grow in a climate zone outside of Florida that is conducive to good health.
All citizens and scientists who are working toward species recovery and de-listing are encouraged to carefully watch and learn from this 2-part video set. Timecoded topic list:
00:01 - Why Historic Groves of mature Torreyas are crucial for saving the species
01:56 - Summary of the 4 "naturalized groves" of Torreya in NC and Louisiana
04:57 - History and geography of the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve
06:19 - The 4-person team making a Torreya site visit to the preserve
07:22 - Rick Johnson, preserve guide, describes the legacy of Caroline Dormon
07:55 - Field observations of TORREYA TREE #1 (all 3 were planted ca. 1950)
09:03 - Survey of tree species nearby Torreya #1
10:25 - Detailed observations of Torreya #1 (basals, pollen, thriving canopy)
14:14 - Seedling from Tree #3 was transplanted to be near Tree #1
15:45 - Florida Anise brought into preserve by Miss Dormon is thriving
16:14 - Field observations of TORREYA TREE #2 (which died suddenly in 2017)
16:26 - Observations and discussion re mystery of Torreya #2 death
20:18 - Nearby Bigleaf Magnolia (offspring of original plantings by Dormon)
20:36 - Yaupon and American Holly observed and discussed (Privet weeded out)
21:19 - Nearby Southern Magnolia (native) and Mountain Laurel (Dormon planted)
22:08 - Florida anise is thriving beyond range; photo of its seed structure and map
23:01 - American Osmanthus (slightly beyond range) and Sweetbay (native)
23:37 - Stewartia planted by Jessie Johnson (first generation of Johnson stewards)
24:18 - Connie explains that subcanopy species "like" full sun but adapted to shade
24:51 - Oral history of "Buffalo Trace", salt works, wagon road, cotton plantation
26:26 - Gazebo to honor Caroline Dormon (funded by Daughters American Revolution)
26:48 - Huge old White Ash (39 inches diameter), with bee colony in it
27:52 - List of six books authored by Caroline Dormon and discussion of non-natives
28:14 - Caroline Dormon as "Louisiana's First Lady of Forestry"
CONTINUE TO LAST HALF OF THE VIDEO SET of Lousisiana Torreya taxifolia:
youtu.be/DykEdCu-lFQ
See also the Torreya Guardians webpage photo-essay of this site visit:
torreyaguardians.org/louisiana.html
Site visit to Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve by two Torreya Guardians 15 November 2018. Of the four long-ago horticultural plantings outside of Florida that produce seeds that have germinated into seedlings nearby (with no human help), this mature grove of Florida Torreya in Louisiana is the first one in which knowledgeable local guides could provide the complete oral history and answer questions posed by Torreya Guardians. This is thus a superb example of why "natural history" observations and inquiry can crucially help the development of best practices for "assisted migration" recovery actions to ensure that this climate-endangered tree does not slide into extinction.
Because wild Torreya ("left behind" in its tiny "peak glacial" refuge in Florida) failed to maintain mature stems beginning 70 or 80 years ago, this set of mature trees outplanted in Louisiana in 1950 offers one of very few opportunities to discern the "natural history" and adaptive forms taken on by this highly endangered species. All it needs is to be given an opportunity to grow in a climate zone outside of Florida that is conducive to good health.
All citizens and scientists who are working toward species recovery and de-listing are encouraged to carefully watch and learn from this 2-part video set. Timecoded topic list:
00:01 - Why Historic Groves of mature Torreyas are crucial for saving the species
01:56 - Summary of the 4 "naturalized groves" of Torreya in NC and Louisiana
04:57 - History and geography of the Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve
06:19 - The 4-person team making a Torreya site visit to the preserve
07:22 - Rick Johnson, preserve guide, describes the legacy of Caroline Dormon
07:55 - Field observations of TORREYA TREE #1 (all 3 were planted ca. 1950)
09:03 - Survey of tree species nearby Torreya #1
10:25 - Detailed observations of Torreya #1 (basals, pollen, thriving canopy)
14:14 - Seedling from Tree #3 was transplanted to be near Tree #1
15:45 - Florida Anise brought into preserve by Miss Dormon is thriving
16:14 - Field observations of TORREYA TREE #2 (which died suddenly in 2017)
16:26 - Observations and discussion re mystery of Torreya #2 death
20:18 - Nearby Bigleaf Magnolia (offspring of original plantings by Dormon)
20:36 - Yaupon and American Holly observed and discussed (Privet weeded out)
21:19 - Nearby Southern Magnolia (native) and Mountain Laurel (Dormon planted)
22:08 - Florida anise is thriving beyond range; photo of its seed structure and map
23:01 - American Osmanthus (slightly beyond range) and Sweetbay (native)
23:37 - Stewartia planted by Jessie Johnson (first generation of Johnson stewards)
24:18 - Connie explains that subcanopy species "like" full sun but adapted to shade
24:51 - Oral history of "Buffalo Trace", salt works, wagon road, cotton plantation
26:26 - Gazebo to honor Caroline Dormon (funded by Daughters American Revolution)
26:48 - Huge old White Ash (39 inches diameter), with bee colony in it
27:52 - List of six books authored by Caroline Dormon and discussion of non-natives
28:14 - Caroline Dormon as "Louisiana's First Lady of Forestry"
CONTINUE TO LAST HALF OF THE VIDEO SET of Lousisiana Torreya taxifolia:
youtu.be/DykEdCu-lFQ
See also the Torreya Guardians webpage photo-essay of this site visit:
torreyaguardians.org/louisiana.html
