Tabor Hybrid Oak Tree Winter Hardiness and Branch Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a durable and winter-hardy oak tree cultivar that can thrive in colder zones and exhibit unique autumnal coloration, as existing oak species and cultivars may not provide the desired combination of growth vigor, branch strength, and distinct foliage characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The 'Tabor' F1 hybrid oak tree, resulting from the cross between Quercus robur and Quercus alba, displays hybrid vigor, strong branching, and an orange-red autumnal coloration, making it suitable for park and home plantings, and has been successfully propagated using grafting and chip-budding methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing oak species and cultivars are used, then they may provide basic growth and foliage characteristics, but they fail to provide the desired combination of growth vigor, branch strength, and distinct orange-red autumnal coloration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombination of growth vigor, branch strength, and autumnal colorationVSAvoiddurability and winter hardiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two distinct oak species (Quercus robur and Quercus alba) through hybridization to create a new cultivar that merges the desirable traits of both parents, including growth vigor from white oak and autumnal coloration potential from English oak, while achieving superior branch strength and winter hardiness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Length of stationary object

If oak trees are grown to achieve large size for park and street tree applications, then they provide substantial canopy coverage, but they may suffer from branch breakage during ice storms and high wind events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree height and canopy spreadVSAvoidbranch strength and wood structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hybridization process was performed in advance to pre-establish the genetic foundation for superior branch strength and wood structure before the trees reached maturity, allowing the trees to develop these strength characteristics as they grew to large sizes rather than attempting to reinforce them later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If oak cultivars are selected for winter hardiness in colder zones, then they can survive extreme temperatures, but they may lack the desired growth vigor and distinct autumnal coloration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewinter hardinessVSAvoidgrowth rate and autumnal coloration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the genetic parameters through hybridization to achieve a new combination that allows the tree to maintain winter hardiness (surviving temperatures as low as -28°F) while simultaneously improving growth vigor (averaging 1.7 feet per year) and producing distinct orange-red autumnal coloration that differs from both parent species

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP21382P2Oak tree named ‘Tabor’

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 EARL A CULLY LIVING TRUST

AI summary

A new and distinct hybrid oak named ‘Tabor’ characterized by its broad-oval growth habit, dark, glossy green mildew resistant foliage, strong wood, orange-red fall color, and hybrid vigor.