Researchers discovered an oak tree within Texas Big Bend National Park that was thought to have been extinct over 10 years ago. A lone Quercus Tardifilia tree was discovered May 25 at the national park standing at 30 feet tall, according to a news release from The Morton Arboretum. Though in poor condition, botanical researchers were thrilled to find the lone oak tree after the specimen was believed to have perished in 2011. Scientists find rare tree thought to be extinct in Texas | The Hill
Very neat! According to The Hill article linked, they’re looking for acorns to propagate it. Unfortunately oaks aren’t self fertile and require another oak of the same species around for cross pollination (another oak of the same white/red family will work, but the viable acorns will produce a hybrid tree) Hopefully they can locate another tree and save the species from extinction. Mating in Single Oaks
