2024 is a special year for the cicada population, as the Eastern United States is experiencing multiple waves of cicada emergences! In addition to the yearly late-summer cicadas, Nashville will be host to a brood of periodical cicadas over springtime, from May until July, roughly. Here, we’ll go over some of the basics on cicadas and what they mean for Nashville’s canopy.
Read MoreWhen selecting a tree for hardiness, size, shade, and ornamental value, the Shumard red oak is a top contender. One of the largest red oaks, this native tree is a great choice for Nashville yards not only for its appealing characteristics, but also for its ability to tolerate the urban area and its variabilities. In this article, we’ll expand on the Shumard oak tree’s most favorable attributes.
Read MoreThe urban heat island effect occurs when a city’s temperature is significantly higher than the suburban and rural areas surrounding it, which can have severe impacts on human comfort and health. However, urban heat can be diminished by planting more trees and maintaining green spaces throughout the built environment. Here, we’ll go over how heat islands work, what effects increased temperatures can have, and what kind of difference trees and other plants can make to mitigate the hazardous warming effect.
Read MoreWhen spring arrives, we welcome the warm weather, but for some of us, pollen season can range from annoying to downright disruptive. However, pollen is half of the reproductive equation of a plant, and it’s the material that needs to be moved from flower to flower for plants to make seeds. Since pollen must be distributed for trees, flowers, grasses, and food crops, successful pollination is crucial for robust and livable environments.
Read MoreEvery tree that someone planted was a decision made, and the Shelby Avenue Arboretum is a project backed up with lots of heartfelt, thoughtful consideration that you can learn all about on its official website! At shelbyarboretum.org, residents and visitors of Nashville can read about how and why these trees were planted, curated, and chosen for specific themes; they can also find visual experiences and discover key ecological highlights about these trees. In this article, we’ll take a tour through the arboretum’s website as an introduction to this information-rich resource on these vibrant living exhibitions.
Read MoreAs one of the most common trees in North America, the red maple (Acer rubrum) can be seen in most places in the Eastern United States. The species is treasured as a robust shade tree that does well in neighborhoods and many urban settings. The tones of red on these maples add to their appeal, from the spring buds and flowers to fiery fall foliage. Here, we’ll go over the many reasons red maple trees thrive in Nashville and help Nashville thrive.
Read MoreBetween October 2023 and February 2024, the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps has delivered and planted 850 trees (and counting!) across Nashville through our annual tree sale! If you’d still like to purchase a tree this winter, we’re taking orders through mid-March, and any orders received afterward will be delivered in the fall.
Read MoreTrees provide many ecosystem benefits in every season of the year! Read on to learn how trees help maintain our environments during winter.
Read MoreA hybrid of two types of sycamore trees, the London plane was popularized in and originally distributed from its namesake city, being an urban tree through and through. Its robust and hardy nature makes this tree a great choice for Nashville streets and neighborhoods, where a London plane will thrive in the built environment.
Read MoreFrom an acorn to a robust, mighty tree, the oak is often used as a symbol of patience and durability. Oaks are well-known for their sturdy trunks, distinctive acorns, and lobed leaves, as well as their longevity. In this article, we’ll profile some of the different kinds of oak trees that can be found around Nashville.
Read MoreAnthracnose is the common name for a group of fungal pathogens that grow on the leaves and branches of trees of all kinds. While the fungus is unsightly, it isn’t deadly in most cases and usually clears up on its own. Here, we’ll go over how to spot anthracnose, how it affects trees, and what you can do to reduce the chances of it taking hold in the early months of spring.
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Scale (also called bark scale) is a common pest found on both indoor and outdoor plants, including trees. While not all are specialized, some scale bugs are associated with specific plants and trees. Any tree can be affected by scale, but over the last several years, there has been a particular problem with a newly invasive scale bug being found on crepe myrtle trees. Here, we’ll go over what scale is, why these bugs are a problem, and how to deal with them if you find a tree infested with them.
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Maple trees are loved for many reasons: their bushy canopies provide lots of shade in the summer, they are sturdy trees, and their iconic leaves offer a show in a range of colors throughout autumn. However, a maple isn’t just a maple! There are many varieties of maple trees out there, each with a distinctive character. Here, we’ll profile some of the most common species of maple that you may find across Nashville.
Read MoreWe love the trees that line our neighborhood streets and stand tall in our yards, but when one of them falls over, it may have to be dealt with differently depending on where it lands. Part of your tree management strategy should include keeping an eye on the condition of trees in your yard, as well as those in your neighbors’ yards that are tall enough to reach your property, in anticipation that the winds of fate may blow in your direction. In this article, we’ll discuss how to minimize and deal with the damage, disruption, and potential conflict that may arise from a fallen tree in a neighborhood setting.
Read MoreIn residential yards and the countryside alike, one of the most common and easily spotted trees in Tennessee is the American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The beech tree reaches across eastern North America, from the southern states to southeastern Canada. One of the main nut producers in hardwood forests, beech trees are in the same family as oaks and chestnuts, but the beech’s unique smooth bark and burr-like seed shells, along with its habit of holding on to its leaves throughout the winter, make this tree easily distinguishable.
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An essential aspect of how to plant a tree for long-term success is choosing the right location. Whether planting a seed or a sapling, choosing the location in your yard for a new tree is a strategic decision, and it will be based on a few criteria.
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Learn how the American elm tree, once more widespread than today, has recovered in hardiness and is making a comeback after being decimated by disease.
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Learn what steps you can take to help your tree go dormant this fall, make it through the winter, and wake up happy and healthy in spring.
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There are many varieties of oak trees, resulting in an array of options when you’re choosing one or more to plant. Learn why an oak isn’t just an oak!
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In certain tree species, male specimens may take on female characteristics under stressful conditions.
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