The City of Orlando recently shared the efforts of a lab in Michigan that has charged itself with the mission to preserve the genetics of the world’s oldest trees and propagate them for future generations.
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (Website) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that locates and propagates the world’s largest and most iconic trees as part of a living library of old-growth tree genetics.
The organization recently visited Orlando to visit Big Tree Park in Park Lake Highland, which is home to “Big Tree,” a southern oak that is more than 400 years old, dating back to before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Big Tree has survived multiple lightning strikes, countless hurricanes, and a massive fungal infection.
According to tree experts like those at Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, Big Tree’s genetic memory makes it more likely to survive the ravages of time and climate change which is why tree climbers from the nonprofit recently collected fresh growth from the top of the tree in hopes of cloning it.
Cuttings from the tree will be taken up north to a lab in Copemish, Michigan, to be cloned, through a relatively simple process of rooting tree clippings and horticultural wizardry. Their hope is these cuttings will result in hundreds of young trees with the exact genome as Big Tree here in Orlando.
Nice work Brendan. Clear, concise reporting! Well done.