About Us
annual reports
strategic plan
Our Mission
Our Strategic Objectives
- Produce hardwood trees with desirable traits, using both classical tree breeding and novel tree improvement techniques.
- Improve management strategies and techniques to enhance the ecological sustainability and economic benefits of hardwood forests.
- Develop and demonstrate strategies to address existing and emerging threats to hardwood forests.
- Engage stakeholders and address their needs through communicating research findings and management recommendations.
- Educate future leaders in tree improvement, management and protection of hardwoods.
We are also committed to connecting our partners, collaborators and stakeholders with the people, information and products of the HTIRC through our technology-transfer efforts.
The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) was conceived in 1998 to address a perceived void in hardwood tree improvement research in the Central Hardwood Forest Region (CHFR). It is committed to enhancing the productivity and quality of CHFR trees and forests for the economic and environmental benefits they provide. Research in tree breeding, tree nursery practices, tree plantation establishment and management, and Central Hardwood silvicultural systems is aimed at increasing the regeneration success rate for high-quality hardwood trees and forests.
Working the Forests for the future
Our Annual Reports
Check out the collaborative partnerships focusing on the advancement of hardwood-focused research, development and technology transfer in the Central Hardwood Forest Region (CHFR).
2025 Annual Report
Over the past year, the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) continued to deliver
on its mission through strong partnerships, applied research and meaningful engagement with woodland
owners, forestry professionals and stakeholders across Indiana and the region. This annual report details
those collective efforts and reflects our shared commitment to advancing the science and application of
forest improvement, management and protection.
-Matthew Ginzel
HTIRC Director
2024 Annual Report
With guidance from our executive committee, we funded three new projects in 2024 and continued to support research through our stakeholder-driven, project-based funding model. In this report, we highlight progress
on nine ongoing projects that align with our strategic objectives and reflect our commitment to addressing stakeholder needs.
2023 Annual Report
As a group, the scientists and staff at the USDA Forest Service NRS-14 and Purdue University worked collaboratively to draft new strategic plan and chart a roadmap for the future growth and success of the HTIRC.
2022 Annual Report
In this annual report, we share progress reports on projects already underway and summaries of the newly funded projects, which our executive committee selected. A special thanks goes to the committee members for their vision and continued leadership and engagement.
2021 Annual Report
In the past year the HTIRC continued to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic to deliver on our mission, and this Annual Report details many of the ways the center advanced our strategic research, Extension and learning objectives.
HTIRC Strategic Plan 2023-2027
The mission of the Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC) is to advance the science and application of tree improvement, management, and protection of hardwood forests, with emphasis in the Central Hardwood Forest Region.
The HTIRC will accomplish its mission during 2023-27 through five strategic directions:
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- Develop hardwood trees with desirable traits, using both classical tree breeding and novel tree improvement techniques;
- Improve management strategies and techniques to enhance the ecological sustainability and economic benefits of hardwood forests;
- Develop and demonstrate strategies to address existing and emerging threats to hardwood forests;
- Engage stakeholders and address their needs through communicating research findings and management recommendations; and
- Educate future leaders in tree improvement, management, and protection of hardwood forests.
