Oak Tree Patents and Patent Center

Did you know that among plant patents are included some very large trees? Once such tree is the mighty oak, many of whom were felled recently by Hurricane Beryl. I decided that made this a good time to check out some patented oaks, and also show how to access their color photos in Patent Center, since that is where all color photos of plant patents now reside.

And, with that, I must ask if you have a MyUSPTO account. It isn't necessary to have one to search Patent Center, but it does give you lots of other advantages, like a home page that you can customize to your interests, and a second option for viewing expanded entries in a trademark search, and if you want to apply for a patent or trademark pro se, it is kind of required.  [I am here, in part, to promote the services of the USPTO; so just deal with the occasional plug!]

A view of my homepage in MyUSPTO

However, as I have learned the hard way, you cannot easily download or view patent images in Patent Center with the wrong internet browser. For example, my default at the office, Firefox. 

And because I don't want to mislead anyone, it is not easy to search using Patent Center. You need to know some kind of concrete number information first, like a publication, patent, application, PCT, or international design registration number. So we have to start with either the University of Maryland Libraries Plant Patent Image Database (only up to a certain point), Patent Public Search, or something like Lens. 

...This is getting complicated. Let's just look at some pretty oak pictures. I'll link you to more info for each.

We're going to focus on live oaks, Quercus fusiformis, because those are one of the most abundant in Houston.  

First, the Texas live oak 'Joan Lionetti' PP27,646. It's a cultivar that clearly is meant for our state. Patented in 2017, it's possible growing around us already.

Texas live oaks are abundant on Rice's campus, I wonder if any are patented?

I also quite like the southern live oak named 'Canon-Sharp', PP19,608 but that may be due in part to the very proud plant parent in the official image. It's hard not to like a tree that has so clearly pleased someone they felt the need to pose with it for a patent.

This person felt it was necessary to pose with the tree, when it really isn't

A live oak named 'SDLN', PP12,015, (they really didn't feel the need to name it anything memorable) has a good growth pattern and very nice natural shape. Oaks are nice.

A very forgettable name but a nice tree nonetheless

The southern live oak named 'CLTF2', PP11,097, does not have as nice of a shape as 'SLDN' in my opinion. However, it does have more interesting leaves, so perhaps that's compensation.

Is it just me, or do you also think this one doesn't have as nice a shape?

There are many more oaks out there that have been patented, but I though a few live oaks was sufficient for one day.