Faculty — Pascal Nzokou

Pascal Nzokou photoAssistant Professor, Christmas Tree Production and Landowners Extension

Ph.D. Michigan State University, 2004;
M.S. University of Oxford, 1999;
B.S. University of Dschang,1994

Contact Information

126 Natural Resources Bldg
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432 5664    
Fax: (517) 432 1143
Email: nzokoupa@msu.edu

Lab Web Site     

Christmas Tree Research and Extension

Courses Taught

Professional Experiences

Research Interests

Improving Christmas tree production systems, the impact of growth inputs on the physiology and growth of plantation trees. Environmental Stress Physiology. Specific projects focus on manipulating the production systems for positive influence on physiological functions and growth. Current projects include irrigation and water management, low inputs production systems for Christmas tree production, and treatments to improve cold hardiness and resistance cold injuries.

Extension Program

I am developing an extension program on the following topics: Sustainable Christmas tree production, irrigation and water management for Christmas tree production, and common Christmas tree and forestry production problems.

Selected Publications (Peer Reviewed)

Nzokou P. and P. Nikiema 2007. The Influence of Three Plant Growth Regulators on the Susceptibility to Cold Injuries following Warm winter spells in Fraser fir (Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir) and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens). Submitted to the Annals of Forestry.

Gooch N., Nzokou P. and Cregg B. 2007. Cold hardiness and morphology of containerized live Christmas trees. Submitted to HortScience.

Nzokou P., B. Cregg, and O'Donnell J. 2007. Alternative Leader Growth Control for Fraser fir and Korean fir Christmas Trees. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. In press.

Pascal Nzokou, Samuel Tourtellot, and D. P. Kamdem 2007. Impact of Pesticides Borate and Imidacloprid on Insect Emergence from Logs Infested by the Emerald Ash Borer. Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. In press.

Gooch N., Nzokou P. and Cregg B. 2007. Relation Between Soil Moisture and Plant Water Tensions in Irrigated Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). HortScience 42(4): 965-965 Suppl, Jul 2007.

Klooster W., Cregg B., Fernandez RT. And Nzokou P. 2007. Growth and Physiology of Landscape Trees in Response to Varying Nutrient for pot-in-pot Production. HortScience 42(4): 861-861 Suppl, Jul 2007.

Pascal Nzokou, Samuel Tourtellot, and D. P. Kamdem 2007. Sanitization of Logs Infested by Exotic Pests: Case Study of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) Treatments using Conventional Heat and Microwave. Submitted to the Journal of Economic Entomology.

Nzokou P., S. Pankras, and D. P. Kamdem 2006. Preservative Treatment of Ash Wood from the Emerald Borer Eradication Program in Michigan. Forest Prod. J. 56(10): 69-72.

Nzokou P., T. Petrice, R. A. Haack, and D. P. Kamdem 2006. Treatment of Emerald Ash Borer Infested Logs from Southeastern Michigan. Forest Prod. J. 56(5): 78-81.

Nzokou P., and D. P. Kamdem 2006. The Influence of Wood Extractives on the Photodiscoloration of Wood Surfaces Exposed to Artificial Weathering. Color Research and Application: 31(4): 425-434.

Nzokou, P., J. Freed, and D. P. Kamdem 2005. Relationship Between Non Destructive And Static Modulus of Elasticity of Commercial Wood Plastic Composites. Holz Als Roh-Und Werskstoff. 64(2): 90-93.

Nzokou P., and D. P. Kamdem 2005. X-Rays Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) and Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) Extracted Wood Surfaces. Surface and Interface Analysis 37(8): 689-694

Nzokou P, Wehner K, Kamdem DP. 2005. Natural durability of eight tropical hardwoods from Cameroon. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 17 (3): 416-427

Jusoh I. B., P. Nzokou and D. P. Kamdem 2005. The Effect of Silicone on Some Properties Of Flakeboard. Holz Als Roh-Und Werkstoff. 63(4): 173-178

Nzokou, P., J. Zyskowski, and S. Boury, D. P. Kamdem 2005. Evaluation of Natural Durability of Laminated Veneer Lumber Made of Veneers From Decay Resistant and/or Non-Durable Hardwoods. Holz Als Roh-Und Werkstoff. 63(3): 173-178

Nzokou, P., and D. P. Kamdem 2004. The Influence of Wood Extractives on Sorption and Wettability Properties of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotina) and red pine (Pinus resinosa). Wood and Fiber Science 36(4): 483-492.

Nzokou, P., and D. P. Kamdem 2003. Fungal Decay Resistance of Non-Durable Aspen Wood Treated with extractives from African padauk. Journal of Tropical Forest Products 9(1 & 2): 125-133.

Nzokou, P., and S. A. Harris 2002. Differentiating Mahogany from Allied Timber. Journal of Tropical Forest Products 8(1): 98-111.

Nzokou, P., and D. P. Kamdem 2002. Weathering of Two Hardwood Species: African padauk (Pterocapus soyauxii) and red maple (Acer rubrum). Journal of Tropical Forest Products 8(2): 1-10.

Selected Publications (Extension Publications)

Nzokou P., L. E. Leefers 2007. Cost and Returns in Michigan Christmas Trees Production. Michigan State University Extension. MSUE Extension Bulletin E-2999. East Lansing, Michigan 18 pp.

Nzokou P., N. Gooch and J. O'Donnell 2007. Using Tensiometers for Scheduling Irrigation of Fraser fir in Christmas Tree Production. Michigan State University Extension. MSUE Extension Bulletin E-2977. East Lansing, Michigan 6 pp

Pascal Nzokou, Nicholas Gooch and Paligwende Nikiema and Bert Cregg 2007. The "One-inch Rainfall per Week" Rule for Irrigation of Fraser fir: Assessing the rule using data collected at two tree farms in Michigan. Great Lakes Christmas Tree Journal 2(2): 16-28.

Nzokou P., and L. E. Leefers 2007. Costs and Returns in Michigan Christmas Tree Production. Great Lakes Christmas Trees Journal 2(1): 11-16

TECHNICAL REPORTS AND CONFERENCE PAPERS

Gooch N., Nzokou P. and Cregg B. 2007. Relation Between Soil Moisture and Plant Water Tensions in Irrigated Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Paper presented at the 59 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Sciences Scottsdale, AZ. 16-19 July 2007.

Klooster W., Cregg B., Fernandez RT. And Nzokou P. 2007. Growth and Physiology of Landscape Trees in Response to Varying Nutrient for pot-in-pot Production. Paper presented at the 59 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Sciences Scottsdale, AZ. 16-19 July 2007.

Nzokou P., and N. Gooch. 2007. Canopy temperature as crop water stress indicator in Irrigated Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Paper presented at the 8th International Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference, Hotel Bogense Kyst, Denmark August 12-18, 2007.

Nzokou P., N. Gooch, and B. Cregg 2007. Cold Hardiness and Morphological Characterization of Containerized Conifers Used as Live Christmas tree. Paper presented at the 8th International Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference, Hotel Bogense Kyst, Denmark August 12-18, 2007.

Cregg B., R. Goldy and P. Nzokou 2007. Growth and Physiology of Newly Planted Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and Colorodo blue spruce (Picea pungens) in response to mulch. Paper presented at the 8th International Christmas Tree Research and Extension Conference, Hotel Bogense Kyst, Denmark August 12-18, 2007

Nzokou P. 2007. Treatment of Green logs infested by exotic pests: Case Study f the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire. Paper presented at thr EAB & Beyond: finding Value in Urban Trees. Ann Arbor, MI May 23-24, 2007.

Nzokou P*. and D. P. Kamdem: Evaluation of Methods for Sanitization of Ash Wood Products Infested by Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis: Presented at Forestry AoE Research and Extension Exchange meeting September 27th, 2006

D. P. Kamdem* and P. Nzokou Evaluation of Physical Methods for Sanitization of Ash Wood Products Infested by Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis: FPS 60th International Convention held June 25-28, 2006 at the Newport Beach Marriott, Newport Beach, California, USA.

Haack* A. R., Toby R. Petrice, Pascal Nzokou, and D. P. Kamdem: Do Insects Infest Wood Packing Material with Bark Following Heat Treatment? Paper presented at the Entomological Society of America in Annapolis, MD 2006.

Haack* R.A., Petrice T.R., Nzokou P., Kamdem P. - Do insects infest wood packing material with bark following heat-treatment? Presented at the IUFRO UNIT 7.03.12 Alien Invasive Species and International Trade Inaugural Meeting, Jedlnia, Poland. July 3-7, 2006

Pascal Nzokou*. Cost and Returns in Christmas tree Production. Presentation to the Summer Meeting August 4-5, 2006. Korson Tree Farm Sidney, Michigan

Pascal Nzokou*: Christmas Trees in Michigan. Presentation to Docents at Meijer Gardens. Grand Rapids. November 27, 2006.

Nzokou, P., D.P. Kamdem, T.R. Petrice and B.A. Haack 2005. Treatment of Ash Wood from the Emerald Ash Borer Eradication Program in Michigan. Presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Forest Products Society, Quebec, Canada

Robert A. Haack, Toby R. Petrice and P. Nzokou, and D.P. Kamdem 2005. Suitability of Borate-Treated Green Logs with Bark to Bark and Wood-Borer Attack. Poster presented at the Entomological Society of America in Annapolis, MD.

Haack, R.A., Petrice, T.R., Nzokou, P. and Kamdem, D.P. (n.d.). Suitability of heat-treated and borate-treated green logs with bark to bark- and wood-borer attack. Poster presented at Annual US Department of Agriculture symposium on introduced forest pests. 1 p. Papers presented at the 2nd meeting of the IFQRG, Victoria, Canada 21-23 February 2005.

Kamdem, D. P. and P. Nzokou 2003. Decay Resistance and Treatability of six Underutilized Tropical hardwoods. Paper presented at the meeting of the IUFRO, 7-14 April 2003. Rotorua, New Zealand.

Nzokou, P., and D. P. Kamdem 2002. Evaluation of Extractives from African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub) for protection of non decay resistant species. Paper presented at the 33rd annual meeting of the International Research Group in Wood Preservation, 14-17 May 2002. IRG/WP 02-10419. Cardiff South Wales, U. K. 22 pp.

Nzokou, P., D. P. Kamdem, and M. Freeman 2002. Water-Borne Copper Naphthenate: An emerging wood preservative. Paper presented at the 33rd annual meeting of the International Research Group in Wood Preservation, 14-17 May 2002. IRG/WP 02-30280. Cardiff South Wales, U. K. 22 pp.

Kamdem, D.P., M. Freeman, E. Schmidt and P. Nzokou 2002. Water-Borne Copper Naphthenate: A potential New Preservative for Softwoods, Hardwoods, and Composites. Paper presented at wood preservation conference "Enhancing the Durability of Lumber and Engineered Wood Products" held February 11-13, 2002 at the Radisson Resort Parkway, Kissimmee (Orlando), Florida. 27 pp.

Freeman H. M., D. P. Kamdem and P. Nzokou 2002. Waterborne Copper Naphthenate: An Arsenic and Chromium Free Preservative for Wood. Paper Presented at 56th Annual Meeting of the Forest Products Society. June 23-26, 2002. Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

Boekhoven, G., Nzokou, P. et Owele A. 1998. The Brazzaville Process. Arbovitaen 9. IUCN/WWF

Nzokou, P. 1996. Etude Prospective du Secteur des Sciages a la Tronçonneuse au Cameroun. Rapport d'Etude L95-0894. Organisation International des Bois Tropicaux. Yokohama, Japon. 67 pp

Opportunities for Students

If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies in any of the following topics contact me for more information