Associate Professor Tree Physiology
Ph.D. Forest Resources, University of Georgia, 1990.
MPA. Public Administration, University of Nebraska, 1995; M.S. Forest Science, Oklahoma State University, 1986; B.S. Forest Management, Washington State University, 1983; A.S. Forestry, Centralia College, 1980.
Contact Information
A214 Plant and Soil Sciences
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
Phone: (517) 355-5191, ext 1335
Fax: (517) 353-0890
Email: cregg@msu.edu
Courses Taught
- HRT/FOR 480 Woody Plant Physiology (co-taught with Jim Flore, HRT)
Research Interests
I conduct research and extension programs to support the Michigan landscape, nursery, and Christmas tree industries. My research and extension programs follow the philosophy that in order to understand how to grow trees we need to understand how trees grow. I incorporate physiological approaches to solving applied problems in both my research and extension programs.
Current Projects
- True Firs: New Conifers for Michigan Landscapes
- Fate and Metabolism of 14C Imidacloprid in Ash Trees
- Cone Production of Fraser fir Christmas trees
- Development of Pot-in-pot systems for landscape and Christmas tree production.
Selected Publications
Jones, G.E. and B.M. Cregg. 2006. Budbreak and winter Injury in exotic firs HortScience (In press)
Zhang, J. and B.M. Cregg. 2005. Growth and physiological responses to varied environments among populations of Pinus ponderosa. Forest Ecology and Management 219:1-12.
Rothstein, D.E. and B.M. Cregg. 2005. Effects of Nitrogen form on nutrient uptake and physiology of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Forest Ecology and management 219: 69-80.
Cregg, B.M., D. Mota-Sanchez, D.G. McCullough, T. Poland, and R. Hollingworth. 2005. Distribution and metabolism of 14C Imidacloprid in Fraxinus spp. and effects of imidacloprid on adults of the emerald ash borer. Emerald Ash Borer Research and Technology Development Meeting, Romulus, MI Oct. 5-6, 2004. USDA Forest Service Forest Health Enterprise Team Publication FHTET-2004-15 pp 46-48.
Cregg, B.M., M.W. Duck, C.M. Rios, D.B. Rowe, and M.R. Koelling. 2004. Chlorophyll fluorescence and needle chlorophyll concentration of fir (Abies spp.) seedlings in response to pH HortScience 39:1121-1125.
Cregg, B.M. 2004. Selecting trees for improved drought tolerance: theoretical and practical considerations. Acta Horticulturae 630:147-156.
Cregg, B.M., C.M. Rios, J.B. Hart and D. Briggs. 2003. Fate of nitrates in field nursery production systems IN: Riley L.E., Dumroese R.K., Landis T.D., technical coordinators. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations2003. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. RMRS-P-33 pp. 50-54.
Cregg, B.M. J. O’Donnell, and M.R. Koelling. 2003. Precocious cone production in Fraser fir IN: Proceedings 6th International Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference, Hendersonville, NC. pp. 98-105.
Cregg, B.M. and M.E. Dix. 2001. Tree moisture stress and insect damage in urban trees in relation to heat island effects. Journal of Arboriculture 27: 8-17
Cregg, B.M, Olivas-Garcia, J.M., and Hennessey, T.C. 2000. Provenance variation in carbon isotope discrimination of mature ponderosa pine trees at two locations in the Great Plains. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 30:428-43
Extension Activities
Alternatives to ash for Michigan landscapes.
The loss of green and white ash to Emerald Ash Borer creates a void in Michigan landscapes. Ashes comprised 20% or more of the urban canopy in some southeast Michigan urban and community forests. Dr. Bob Schutzki and I have developed several extension and outreach programs to promote increase species diversity in Michigan landscapes and promote alternative species for green and white ash. For more information visit: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/ash.alt/index.htm
Trade journal articles
I am a frequent contributor to several Michigan trade publications including the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Michigan Landscape and the Michigan Christmas Tree Association Journal. Article topics include selecting conifers for landscape use, managing abiotic stresses, and water and nutrient management. For .pdf's of recent articles visit my Horticulture Department web-page: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/cregg.htm
Landscape Crop Advisory Team (CAT)
Alerts provide information on integrated pest management (including abiotic problems) for landscapes, nurseries, and Christmas trees. http://www.ipm.msu.edu/landCAT.htm