Thomas G. Ranney Professor Department of Horticultural Science North Carolina State University

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Address

Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
E-mail: tom_ranney@ncsu.edu

Responsibilities

Research (100%): Evaluation and improvement of nursery crops. Major research areas include:

• Development of new nursery crops with greater adaptability, pest resistance, and commercial potential.
• Evaluation, selection, and improvement of plants with tolerance to environmental and biological stresses.
• Enhancing production efficiency and quality of nursery crops.

Program Information and Resources

Professional Experience

• Professor, North Carolina State University, Fletcher, North Carolina, 1999-present.
• Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Fletcher, North Carolina, 1995 - 1999.
• Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University, Fletcher, North Carolina, 1989 - 1995.
• Consulting Horticulturist, City of Ithaca, Ithaca, New York, 1988 - 1989.
• Graduate Research Assistant, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 1985 - 1989.

Education

• Ph.D., Cornell University, Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture. Ithaca, New York.1989. Specialization: Landscape Horticulture, Plant Protection, Plant Physiology.
• M.S., Cornell University, Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture. Ithaca, New York.1986. Specialization: Landscape Horticulture, Plant Protection.
• B.S., The Ohio State University, Department of Natural Resources. Columbus, Ohio.1981.

Selected Publications

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• Ranney, T.G. 1988. Managing plant growth and water relations during transplanting. Proc. of the 6th Conf. Metropolitan Tree Improvement Alliance (METRIA). 108-118.
• Ranney, T.G., N.L. Bassuk, and T.H. Whitlow. 1989. Effect of transplanting practices of growth and water relations of 'Colt' cherry trees during reestablishment. J. Environ. Hort. 7:41-45.
• Ranney, T.G. 1989. Evaluation and selection for drought resistance in selected woody plants. 34th annual report of the Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Res. Conf., 266-274, Atlanta, GA.
• Ranney, T.G., T.H. Whitlow, and N.L. Bassuk. 1990. Response of five temperate deciduous tree species to water stress. Tree Physiol. 6:439-448.
• Ranney, T.G., N.L. Bassuk, and T.H. Whitlow. 1991. Turgor maintenance in leaves and roots of `Colt' cherry trees in response to water stress. J. Hort. Sci. 66:381-387.
• Ranney, T.G., N.L. Bassuk, and T.H. Whitlow. 1991. Osmotic adjustment and solute constituents in leaves and roots of water-stressed cherry trees. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116:684-688.
• Ranney, T.G., N.L. Bassuk, and T.H. Whitlow. 1991. Influence of rootstock, scion, and water deficits on growth of `Colt' and 'Meteor' cherry trees. HortScience 26:1204-1207.
• Ranney, T.G., R.E. Bir, and W.A. Skroch. 1991. Comparative drought resistance among six species of birch (Betula): influence of mild water stress on water relations and leaf gas exchange. Tree Physiol. 8:351- 360.
• Ranney, T.G. and M.A. Powell. 1991. Recommended trees for urban landscapes: proven performers for difficult sites. Hort. Info. Leaflet # 8617. N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C.S.U., Dept. Hort. Sci.
• Ranney, T.G. 1991. Comparative drought resistance among flowering crabapple (Malus) scions. HortScience 26:131.
• Whitlow, T.G., N.L. Bassuk, T.G. Ranney, and D.L. Reichert. 1992. An improved method for using electrolyte leakage to assess membrane competency in plant tissue. Plant Physiol. 98:198-205.
• Ranney, T.G. and D. Davidson. 1992. Analysis of pressure-volume data using segmented, nonlinear regression algorithms. HortScience 27:275.
• Ranney, T.G. and J. Walgenbach. 1992. Feeding preference of Japanese beetle among taxa of birch, cherry, and crabapple. J. Environ. Hort. 10:177-180.
• Ranney, T.G. and D. Michael Benson. 1992. Superior crabapples for North Carolina landscapes. Hort. Info. Leaflet #8613. N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C.S.U., Dept. Hort. Sci.
• Bir, R.E., T.E. Bilderback, and T.G. Ranney. 1993. Grafting and budding nursery crop plants. N.C. Publication AG- 396. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C.S.U. Dept. Hort. Sci.
• Ranney, T.G., R.E. Bir, M.A. Powell, and J.C. Raulston. 1993. Urban trees for use under utility lines. Hort. Info. Leaflet #8616. N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C.S.U., Dept. Hort. Sci.
• Thetford, M., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1993. Effects of uniconazole on photosynthesis, dark respiration and water use efficiency of `Spectabilis' forsythia. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Research Conf. 38: 27-29.
• Ranney, T.G. and M.M. Peet. 1994. Heat tolerance of five species of birch (Betula): Physiological responses to supraoptimal leaf temperatures. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 119:243-248.
• Ranney, T.G. and R.E. Bir. 1994. Comparative flood tolerance of birch rootstocks. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 119:43- 48.
• Rowe, D.B., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1994. Seed germination of three provenances of Rhododendron catawbiense: Influence of light and temperature. J. Environ. Hort. 12: 155-158.
• Ranney, T.G. 1994. Differential tolerance of eleven Prunus taxa to root zone flooding. J. Environ. Hort. 12:138-141.
• Ranney, T.G. and R.E. Bir. 1994. Use of paclobutrazol to regulate shoot growth and flower development of 'Roseum Elegans' rhododendron. J. Environ. Hort. 12:174-178.
• Ranney, T.G., L.F. Grand, and J.L. Knighten. 1995. Susceptibility of Cornus kousa cultivars and hybrids to dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. J. Arboric. 21: 11-16.
• Ranney, T.G., F.A. Blazich, and S.L. Warren. 1995. Heat tolerance of selected species and populations of rhododendron. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 119:243-248.
• Ranney, T.G. and E.P. Whitman II. 1995. Growth and survival of 'Whitespire' birch grafted on rootstocks of five species of birch. HortScience. 30:521-522.
• Ranney, T.G., R.E. Bir, M.A. Powell, T. Bilderback. 1994. Qualifiers for quagmires:Landscape plants for wet sites Hort. Info. Leaflet. #616. N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C.S.U., Dept. Hort. Sci..
• Patton, C.A., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, and J. F. Walgenbach. 1995. Efficacy of naturally occurring feeding deterrents endogenous to rosaceous trees on Japanese Beetle. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Res. Conf. 40: 191-193.
• Ranney, T.G., E.P. Whitman, II, and R.E. Bir. 1995. Effects of copper hydroxide-treated containers and water- reservoir containers on root and shoot growth of four tree species. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Res. Conf. 40: 122-124.
• Ranney, T.G., J.F. Walgenbach, J.D. Burton, E.P. Maness, D.M. Pharr. 1995. Natural resistance to eastern tent caterpillar among rosaceous trees. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Res. Conf. 40: 201- 204.
• Ruth, C.D., T.G. Ranney, and E.P. Whitman, II. 1995. Flood Tolerant Hollies: Qualifiers for quagmires. Proc. Southern Nurserymen's Assn. Res. Conf. 40: 77-80.
• Ranney, T.G., J.D. Burton, J.F. Walgenbach, D. M. Pharr, C. A. Patton, and E. P. Maness. 1995. Role of endogenous allelochemicals in host plant resistance to Japanese beetles. HortScience 30:767.
• McGuigan, P.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1996. Propagating Quercus phillyreoides by stem cutting. J. Environ. Hort. 14:77-81.
• Curtis, D.L., T.G. Ranney, F.A. Blazich, and E.P. Whitman II. 1996. Rooting and subsequent overwintering survival of stem cuttings of Stewartia ovata. J. Environ. Hort. 14:163-166.
• McGuigan, P.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1996. Propagation of Quercus myrsinifolia and Quercus canbyi by stem cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 14:217-220.
• Stubbs, H.L., F.A. Blazich, T.G. Ranney, and S.L. Warren. 1997. Propagation of 'Carolina Sapphire' smooth Arizona cypress by stem cuttings: Effects of growth stage, type of cutting, and IBA treatment. J. Environ. Hort. 15:61-64.
• McGuigan, P.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1997. Micropropagation of Stewartia pseudocamellia. J. Environ. Hort. 15:65-68.
• Stubbs, H.L., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1997. Nitrogen nutrition of containerized Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Carolina Sapphire'. J. Environ. Hort. 15:80-83.
• Ranney, T.G. and J.M. Ruter. 1977. Foliar heat tolerance of three holly species (Ilex spp.): Responses of chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf gas exchange to supraoptimal leaf temperatures. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 122:499-503.
• Patton, C.A., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, and J.F. Walgenbach. 1997. Natural pest resistance of Prunus taxa to feeding by adult Japanese beetles: Role of endogenous allelochemicals in host plant resistance. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 122:668-672.
• Patton, C.A., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, and J.F. Walgengach. 1997. Feeding responses of Japanese beetle to naturally occurring metabolites found in rosaceous plants. J. Environ. Hort. 15:222- 227.
• Fulcher, A.F., T.G. Ranney, and J.D. Burton. 1998. Role of foliar phenolics in host plant resistance of Malus taxa to adult Japanese beetles. HortScience 33:862-865.
• Benson, D.M., T.G. Ranney, and K.C. Parker. 1998. Evaluation of Photinia spp. for resistance to Entomosporium leaf spot, 1996, 1997. Bio. Cultural Tests 13:64.
• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1998. Propagation of Thuja x 'Green Giant' by Stem Cuttings: Effects of Growth Stage, Type of Cuttting, and IBA Treatment. J. Enivron. Hort. 16(4):212-214.
• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Propagation of Magnolia virginiana ‘Santa Rosa’ by semi-hardwood cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 17(1):47-48.
• Griffin, J.J., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Nitrogen nutrition of containerized Thuja x ‘Green Giant’. J. Environ. Hort. 17(2):76-79.
• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Shading and IBA treatment does not improve rooting of stem cuttings of Quercus phillyraeoides ‘Emerald Sentinel’. J. Environ. Hort. 17(3):123-125.
• Jull, L.G., T.G. Ranney, and F.A. Blazich. 1999. Heat tolerance of selected provenances of Atlantic white cedar. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 124:492-497.
• Witt, J.D., S.L. Warren, T.G. Ranney, and J.R. Baker. 1999. Biorational and conventional plant protectants reduce feeding by adult Japanese beetles. J. Environ. Hort. 17(4):203-206.
• Ranney, T.G. 2000. Polyploidy: From evolution to landscape plant improvement. Proceedings of the 11th Conf. Metropolitan Tree Improvement Alliance (METRIA).
• Bell, A.C., T.G. Ranney, T.A. Eaker, and T.B. Sutton. 2000. Evaluating fire blight resistance among flowering crabapples (Malus spp.) and pears (Pyrus spp.).  Proceedings of the 11th Conf. Metropolitan Tree Improvement Alliance (METRIA).
• Holland, B.T., S.L. Warren, and T.G. Ranney. 2003. Evaluating recovery of Cupressaceae taxa after flooding at contrasting temperatures. J. Environ. Hort. 21(1):51-55.
• Ranney, T.G., T.A. Eaker, P.R. Fantz, and C.R. Parks. 2003. ×Schimlinia floribunda (Theaceae): A new intergeneric hybrid between Franklinia alatamaha and Schima argentea. HortScience 38(6):1198-1200.
• Griffin, J.J., T.G. Ranney, and D. Mason Pharr. 2004. Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescense, and carbohydrate content of Illicium taxa grown under varied irradiance. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129(1):46:53.
• Griffin, J.J., T.G. Ranney, and D. Mason Pharr. 2004. Heat and drought influence photosynthesis, water relations, and soluble carbohydrates of two ecotypes of redbud (Cercis canadensis). J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129(4):497-502.
• Ranney, T.G. 2004. Population Control: Developing Non-Invasive Nursery Crops. Proceedings, International Plant Propagators' Society: 54:604-607.
• Bell, A.C., T.G. Ranney, T.A. Eaker, and T.B. Sutton. 2005. Resistance to fire blight among flowering pears and quince. HortScience 40(2):413-415.
• Ranney, T.G. 2006. Polyploidy: From Evolution to New Plant Development. Proceedings, International Plant Propagators' Society: 56:137-142.
• Ranney, T.G., and P.R. Frantz. 2006. ×Gordlinia grandiflora (Theaceae): An intergeneric hybrid between Franklinia alatamaha and Gordonia lasianthus. HortScience 41(6):1386-1388.
• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and C.S. Hodges. 2006. Susceptibility of Catalpa, Chilopsis, and hybrids to powdery mildew and catalpa sphinx larvae.  HortScience 41(7):1629-1634.
• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and Z. Viloria. 2006. Reproductive Behavior of Induced Allotetraploid ×Chitalpa and In Vitro Embryo Culture of Polyploid Progeny. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(6):716-724.
• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and D.J. Werner. 2006. Fertility and Inheritance of Variegated and Purple Foliage Across Polyploid Series in Hypericum androsaemum L. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(6):725-730. (Photo: JASHS Cover)
• Contreras, R.N., T.G. Ranney, and S.P. Tallury. 2007. Reproductive Behavior of Diploid and Allotetraploid Rhododendron L. 'Frangrant Affinity'. HortScience 42(1):31-34.
• Contreras, R.N., T.G. Ranney, S.R. Milla-Lewis, and G.C. Yencho. 2007. Investigating Parentage and Hybridity of Three Azaleodendrons Using Amplified Frangment Length Polymorphism Analysis. HortScience 42(3):740-743.
• Ranney, T.G., N.P. Lynch, P.R. Frantz, and P. Cappiello. 2007. Clarifying Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Fothergilla (Hamamelidaceae) Cultivars and Hybrids. HortScience 42(3):470-473. (Photo: HortScience Cover)
• Lasseigne, F.T., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 2007. Day/Night Temperature Affects Growth and Photosynthesis of Cultivated Salvia Taxa. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132(4):492-500.
• Jones, J.R., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch, and S.L. Krebs. 2007. Ploidy Levels and Relative Genome Sizes of Diverse Species, Hybrids, and Cultivars of Rhododendron. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 61(4):220-227.
• Zhou, W., T. Gibbons, L. Goetsch, B. Hall, T. Ranney, R. Miller. 2008. Rhododendron colemanii: A new Species of Deciduous Azalea (Rhododendron section Pentanthera; Ericaceae) from the Coastal Plain of Alabama and Georgia. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 62(4):72-78.
• Jones, J.R., T.G. Ranney, T.A. Eaker. 2008. A Novel Method for Inducing Polyploidy in Rhododendron Seedlings. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 62(3): 130-135.
• Ranney, T.G., J.R. Jones. 2008. Understanding Polyploidy: Insights into the Evolution and Breeding of Azaleas. The Azalean. 30(4): 81-84.
• Palmer, I.E., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch, R.E. Bir. 2009. Crossability, Cytogenetics, and Reproductive Pathways in Rudbeckia Subgenus Rudbeckia. HortScience 44(1): 44-48.
• Ranney, T.G., R.T. Olsen. 2009. Breaking the Color Barrier: The Classic Annabelle Hydrangea Now Comes in Pink. Nursery Notes. March-April 2009: 44-45.
• Jones, J.R., T.G. Ranney. 2009. Fertility of Neopolyploid Rhododendron and Occurrence of Unreduced Gametes in Triploid Cultivars. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 63(3): 131-135.
• Meyer, E.M., T.G. Ranney, T.A. Eaker, K. Ivors. 2009. Differential Resistance of Gordonieae Trees to Phytophthora cinnamomi. HortScience 44(5): 1484-1486.

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This page was created by Thomas G. Ranney.
Updated August 10, 2009, by Anne S. Napier