Willow oak tree named ‘TGO-GAL’

Abstract

A new and distinct Quercus phellos tree named TGO-GAL which is characterized by a dominant central leader with an upright ascending and freely branching growth habit, an oval to pyramidal tree crown profile, red juvenile foliage in spring and autumn, and mature foliage which fades to yellow prior to leaf abscission in autumn. The claimed plant propagates successfully by softwood stem cuttings and has proven to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Quercus phellos tree named TGO-GAL, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the original TGO-GAL tree at approximately 19 years of age, during summer in Warren County, Tenn.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the original TGO-GAL tree at approximately 18 years of age, during winter in Warren County, Tenn.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the autumn foliage color of TGO-GAL.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(4) The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct Quercus phellos plant cultivar known as TGO-GAL. Plant observations were made on a 20 year-old mature tree growing in Warren County, Tenn. The observed tree was grown in full exposure to natural sunlight, maintained without the use of supplemental fertilizer or irrigation. No pest or pathogen countermeasures employed. Observation data was recorded in October of 2019.

(5) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. TGO-GAL has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition except where common terms of color are used.

(6) A botanical description of TGO-GAL and comparisons with the parent and most similar commercial cultivar are provided below. General plant description: Plant habit.Monoecious deciduous tree with an upright ascending, freely branching growth habit. Tree crown profile.Oval to pyramidal. Dimensions.The original tree is now approximately 11.25 meters tall and 8.25 meters wide. Environmental tolerances.Hardy in US Hardiness Zones 5 through 9; prefers moist, loamy soils and full sun exposure but will tolerate dryer conditions and light shade; drought and heat tolerant once established. Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.Plants have not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests common to Quercus phellos. Propagation.Propagation is accomplished using softwood stem cuttings and grafting. Crop time.Approximately two growing seasons are needed to produce an 45 to 60 cm tall fully rooted cutting ready for transplant into larger nursery containers or directly into the ground for field production. Root system: Description.A network of fibrous, non-fleshy roots. Rooting habit.Freely branching, moderately dense, and evenly distributed throughout the soil profile. Stems: Branching habit.A dominant, near-vertical central main stem, occasionally branched, gives rise to an abundance of lateral branches, themselves freely branching. Main stem; central leader Quantity One; occasionally branching. Attitude Erect; near vertical. Aspect Generally rounded. Diameter 33 cm, at the base of the trunk. Color, juvenile Greyed-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 197B, 197C, and 197D; irregularly blotched and banded with greyed-green, nearest to RHS 196B. Moderately suffused with a mixture of green, RHS 144A, and yellow-green, RHS 146D; suffusion becomes less pronounced as the wood ages. Color, oldest wood Brown, nearest to a mixture of RHS 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D; fissures are greyed-orange, nearest to in between RHS 177A and 177B. Texture Smooth and glabrous and becoming progressively fissured and furrowed with age, at and towards the base or trunk of the tree. Strength Very strong. Lateral branches Branch angle to main axis In between 30 and 40 degrees. Aspect Circular; somewhat angular. Diameter 25 mm at the base. Color, juvenile Nearest to a mixture of greyed-orange, RHS 165A, and yellow-green, in between RHS 152A and 152B. Color, mature Greyed-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 197B, 197C, and 197D; irregularly blotched and banded with greyed-green, nearest to RHS 196B. Moderately suffused with a mixture of green, RHS 144A, and yellow-green, RHS 146D. Texture Smooth, glabrous; lenticels sparsely covering immature branches. Lenticels are elliptical; approximately 1.0 mm long and 0.75 mm wide; color is greyed-brown, RHS 199D. Stem strength Strong. Foliage: Arrangement.Alternate. Attachment.Petiolate. Division.Simple. Shape.Elliptic. Length.88 mm. Width.25 mm. Apex.Acute to acuminate. Base.Cuneate to obtuse. Margin.Entire and moderately to heavily undulated. Aspect.Flat to longitudinally concave; occasionally with a slight axial twist. Texture and pubescence, adaxial surface.Lightly rugose, glabrous, and glossy. Texture and pubescence, abaxial surface.Rugose, glabrous and matte. Color, spring.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between orange-red and red, RHS 33A, 34A, and 40A; becoming progressively suffused with yellow-green, RHS 146A, as leaves mature. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Orange-red, nearest to RHS 34B, and becoming progressively suffused with yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146B and 146C, as leaves mature. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146B and 146C. Color, summer.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146B and 146C. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146B and 146C. Color, autumn.Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface Nearest to in between orange-red and red; RHS 33A, 34A and 40A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface Orange-red, nearest to RHS 34B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface Yellow-green, RHS 146A, and progressively fading to a lighter shade of yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 151C and 154A, as leaves near abscission and ultimately becoming yellow, nearest to in between RHS 9A and 13B, prior to abscission. Mature foliage, abaxial surface Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146B and 146C, and progressively fading to a lighter shade of yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 151C and 154A, as leaves near abscission and ultimately becoming yellow, nearest to in between RHS 9A and 13B, prior to abscission. Venation.Pattern Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D, and moderately suffused with yellow-green, RHS 146D. Vein color, abaxial surface Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D, and lightly suffused with yellow-green, RHS 146D. Petiole.Length 5.0 mm. Diameter 1.5 mm. Color, adaxial surface Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D, and moderately suffused with yellow-green, RHS 146D. Color, abaxial surface Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 162D, and moderately suffused with a mixture of yellow-green, RHS 146D, and greyed-orange, RHS 164B. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces Smooth; glabrous. Stipules.Absent. Inflorescence: To date, no flowering has been observed on the mother plant or any progeny therefrom. Flower bud: To date, no flowering has been observed on the mother plant or any progeny therefrom. Flower: To date, no flowering has been observed on the mother plant or any progeny therefrom. Reproductive organs: To date, no flowering has been observed on the mother plant or any progeny therefrom. Fruit and seed: To date, no fruiting has been observed on the mother plant or any progeny therefrom. Comparison with the presumed parent plant: Plants of the new cultivar TGO-GAL differ from the parent, an unnamed Quercus phellos tree (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1. The pollen parent is presumed to also be an unnamed Quercus phellos tree (not patented), and therefore no additional comparison to the pollen parent is disclosed.

(7) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Characteristic TGO-GAL The parent Tree crown profile. Oval to pyramidal. Rounded to oval. Branch crotch angle, Ranging from 35 to 45 Ranging from 35 degrees, relative to the main degrees; crotch angles distally, to 130 degrees, axis. remain consistent proximally. with age. General springtime Red. Green. coloration of the juvenile foliage. General autumn Red juvenile foliage and Yellow juvenile foliage coloration of the yellow mature foliage. and mature foliage. foliage. Comparison with the most similar Quercus phellos cultivar known to the inventor: Plants of the new cultivar TGO-GAL are most similar to the commercial cultivar, Quercus phellos RT3 (U.S. Pat. No. 16,444). A comparison of TGO-GAL with Quercus phellos RT3 is described in Table 2.

(8) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristic TGO-GAL RT3 Growth habit; height Approximately 1.35:1, Approximately 2.0:1, to width ratio. height to width. height to width. Tree crown profile. Oval to pyramidal. Rounded to oval. Branch crotch angle, Ranging from 35 to 45 New lateral branches relative to the main degrees; crotch angles emerge at an angle of 20 axis. remain consistent to 30 degrees and mature with age. to 30 to 40 degrees. General springtime Red. Green. coloration of the juvenile foliage. General autumn Red. Yellow. coloration of the juvenile foliage. Fruiting. Non-fruit bearing. Fruit bearing.