Academic Experience

• Professor of Tree Physiology, Purdue University, 1970 - Present
• Visiting Professor, Department of Forestry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1987
• Visiting Professor, Department of Botany and Microbiology, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales, 1977
• Campus Coordinator, Wood Fuel Research and Development Program for the Dominican Republic, 1983 - 1989
• Research Associate / Post- Doctorate, Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 1969

Current Research

Physiology of uptake, transport, and efficacy of tree growth regulators. Investigating the use of plant growth retardants as tools to reduce the regrowth of trees following trimming with focus on

• The effectiveness of different application methods
• The rate and pattern of distribution of the growth regardants in treated trees
• Effects on wound closure and cambial growth
• Other beneficial effects of the compounds on physiological processes such as drought tolerance and decay resistance of wood
  

Selected Publications

• Bai, S., W.R. Chaney and Y. Qi.  2004. Response of cambial and shoot growth in trees treated with paclobutrazol.  Journal of Arboriculture 30:137-145.
• Bai, S. and W.R. Chaney. 2000.  Treatment of silver maple trees with gibberellin synthesis         inhibitors influences growth of progeny seedlings.  Plant Growth Regulation Society of America   Quarterly 28:115-126
• Sperry, C.E. and W.R. Chaney. 1999. Tree growth regulator effect on phototropism - Its implication for utility forestry.  Journal of Arboriculture 25:43-47.
• Premachandra, G.S., W.R. Chaney and H.A. Holt. 1997. Gas exchange and water relations of Fraxinus americana L. affected by flurprimidol. Tree Physiology 17:97-103
• Premachandra, G.S., W.R. Chaney and H.A. Holt. 1997. Effect of mulch made from flurprimidol treated silver maple, white ash and zinnia on growth of zinnia. Journal Environmental Horticulture 15:215-221.
• Wheeler, R.A., W.R. Chaney, K.D. Johnson and L.G. Butler. 1996. Leucaena forage analysis using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Animal Feed Science and Technology 64:1-9.
• Premachandra, G.S., C. Nagasaka, W.R. Chaney and H.A. Holt. 1996. Response of cells, callus, seeds and plants to a range of flurprimidol concentrations varies in zinnia, sunflower, green pepper, and tobacco. Plant Growth Regulation Society of America Quarterly 24:140-151.
• Chaney, W.R., J.J. Vorst and J.J. Chaney. 1996. Wandering England and Scotland: Forests, Farms, Museums and Historic Sites. Highlights of an Educational Travel Course. Purdue University College of Agriculture, Office of Academic Programs Publication Number 31. 232pp.
• Chaney, W.R., P.E. Pope and W.R. Byrnes. 1995. Tree survival and growth after twelve years on mined land reclaimed in accord with the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Journal of Environmental Quality 24:630-634.
• Mann, M.P., H.A. Holt, W.R. Chaney, W.L. Mills and R.L. McKenzie. 1995. Tree growth regulator reduce line clearance trimming time. Journal of Arboriculture 21:209-212.
• Wheeler, R.A., W.R. Chaney, M.J. Cecava and J.L. Brewbaker. 1994. Forage yield and compositional analysis of Leucaena species and hybrids adapted to cool sites. Agroforestry Systems 25:263-274.
• Wasniewski, T.A., W.R. Chaney, H.A. Holt and J.F. Senft. 1993. Strength properties of wood related to trunk injection of tree growth regulators. Journal of Arboriculture 19:220-225.
• Wasniewski, T.A., W.R. Chaney and H.A. Holt. 1993. Hole angle for trunk injection of tree growth regulators and its effect on weeping, wound closure and wood discoloration. Journal of Arboriculture 19:131-138.
• Zillmer, R.E., W.R. Chaney and H.A. Holt.  1991.  Structural and biological effects of trunk injected paclobutrazol in yellow poplar.  Journal of Arboriculture 17:261-268.

Professional Associations

• Plant Growth Regulation Society of American
• International Society of Arboriculture

Courses