How Does Tree Grafting Work?

In nature, trees reproduce by pollination, but nursery cultivators can propagate a tree by graft to select for particular characteristics that might otherwise get lost in the natural reproductive process. In this article, we’ll examine why grafting can be so important for trees in urban, neighborhood, and orchard settings, including which tree species are most frequently propagated by grafting. Awareness of grafted tree varieties can help residents make informed choices when planting trees in the Nashville landscape!

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Exploring the Different Ways Trees Are Pollinated

During the spring season of renewal, some trees reproduce with the help of wildlife, while others need only the wind to carry their pollen around the landscape. In this article, we’ll take a look at how trees of various species each form their particular type of seed. Knowing a tree’s behavior can help Nashville residents make decisions about planting locations and long-term yard maintenance requirements so that mature trees can be as happy and productive as possible within the built environment.

Trees and Wind: Preparing for Storm Season

From light breezes to powerful storms, trees are exposed to the full range of wind forces that accompany all types of weather. This couldn’t be more true in Nashville, TN, which has seen its share of tornadoes and severe wind gusts in recent years. Late winter and early spring tend to be the windiest time of year for Music City, so it’s crucial to understand how wind affects trees and what you can do to minimize potential damage (to your trees and your property).

Tree of the Month: Ginkgo Biloba (Male) “Autumn Gold”

While there is only one species of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), there are several cultivars that offer ornamental and ecological variety to the landscape. Here, we’ll take a look at the Autumn Gold ginkgo tree—a hardy urban cultivar that is as beautiful as it is beneficial!

NTCC Awarded $15,000 Grant from Patagonia to Advance Conservation Efforts

Patagonia has awarded the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps (NTCC) a $15,000 unrestricted grant to further its mission of promoting, preserving, protecting, and planting trees in Davidson County. This funding will help NTCC expand its conservation efforts and community outreach, ensuring a greener, healthier Nashville.

Tree NewsGuest UserFebruary 17, 2025Comment

Trees and Nashville Wildlife Part 5: Slugs and Snails

While slugs are often considered pests and snails might be seen as friendlier, these animals both contribute to maintaining local ecosystems, and both have the potential to do some damage in residential yards. In this article on Nashville’s fauna, we’ll examine how snails and slugs play various roles in and around trees, and toward the end, we’ll share some tips on how to manage the gastropod populations in your yard.

What Is Frost Cracking, and How Can You Prevent It in Your Trees?

One of the most common problems for trees in winter is frost cracking—when rapid temperature changes cause the outer layer of tree trunks to break. Sometimes, the impact is minimal, but large damage can result in long-term consequences for a tree. In this article, we’ll go over why frost cracking happens, as well as some tips on what you can do to protect your trees when they’re most vulnerable.

How Preserving a Mature Tree Canopy Benefits Our Health

More and more studies are showing the health benefits of mature tree canopies in urban and neighborhood settings. This is great news because it shows that preserving and caring for trees has real impacts on the quality of life for local residents. Here, after going over how trees in the built environment affect our health, we’ll take a look at the opportunities found in Nashville’s canopy for maintaining and improving local well-being.

Tree of the Month: American Hornbeam

The American hornbeam flexes its muscles as an alluring understory tree. This medium-sized species has an interesting form in every season, offering ornamentation in addition to ecosystem services that help manage and enrich the local environment. Here, we’ll go over why this versatile tree is such a fine addition to green spaces in Nashville.

Homeowners Insurance and Trees: Understanding Your Obligations and Rights

Trees are significant features of neighborhood landscapes, so home insurance policies have to address risks related to the local canopy when establishing and maintaining coverage. In this article, we’ll go over some of the rights and obligations of homeowners and insurance companies when it comes to managing both the healthy and weak trees on residential properties in Nashville.

How Many Kinds of Evergreen Trees Are There?

Pine, eastern redcedar, and southern magnolia are just a few of the most familiar types of winter greenery that can be found in the Nashville landscape. Varied in size, shape, color, and features, all evergreens offer important ecosystem services during the coldest months of the year, such as wildlife habitat, air purification, and shade, when other trees have lost their leaves and gone dormant. Here, we’ll discuss what makes evergreens so durable and how they increase the resilience of the local environment.

Legislation Update: Protecting Trees During Construction and Development

The Metro Nashville Government is currently considering legislation that will enhance tree protection during construction projects. The bill will be decided upon at the February 4th, 2025 public hearing, so there’s still time for residents to reach out to their district representatives to encourage them to vote in favor of it. Here, we’ll go over what the legislation means for Nashville’s canopy, then we’ll share some guidance on how to voice your support for this development in Nashville’s tree law!

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Tree of the Month: Persimmon Tree

The American persimmon is a unique tree that we appreciate for both its delicious fruit and its hardy and robust form. This southeastern native thrives in and around Nashville, where its specialized characteristics and generalist adaptations allow the persimmon tree to be a happy addition to any local garden or landscape.

Gift a Tree This Holiday Season!

Give the gift of a tree this holiday season and show someone you appreciate them with a beautiful, long-lasting present whose meaning and impact will continue to grow over the years. We at the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps are making tree-giving as simple as possible through our tree sale! In this article, we’ll go over how it works and why the gift of nature is a wonderful way to cultivate new connections between people and the environment.

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The Crape Myrtle Debate: Is It Ever OK to Plant Non-Native Trees?

In a blog we previously published regarding the “Natchez” Crape Myrtle, we received some comments wondering why anyone would opt to plant a non-native tree. It’s a legitimate concern, especially when one realizes the threat invasive species pose to local ecosystems. But is the delineation between native and non-native that cut and dry when it comes to choosing which trees to plant, or is there more to this story?

Winter Tree Problems

The coldest months of the year can really test the hardiness of a tree. Weather conditions, wildlife, and salt runoff from hard surfaces cause some of the most common tree issues in winter, such as damage to bark and branches. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of these issues and explain how, with preparation and preventative care, much of the damage to trees in winter can be avoided.

The Importance of Working With a Certified Arborist

Trees are exposed to many risks in urban and neighborhood settings, where they need specialized attention to maintain them in the healthiest and safest condition. Certified arborists are healthcare providers for trees. Their certifications speak to their knowledge gained from experience and ongoing practice, inspiring confidence that the trees they oversee will be treated with expert levels of care. Here, we’ll explore how certified arborists’ qualifications help them manage the trees across Nashville’s landscape.

Trees and Nashville Wildlife Part 4: Reptiles and Amphibians

The scaly and slimy creatures that crawl and slither across the ground can be found living in, on, and around trees throughout a canopy ecosystem. In this article on Nashville wildlife, we’ll go over how reptiles and amphibians contribute essential services to the maintenance and balance of a wooded area, whether in the wilderness or in your backyard. We’ll also consider habitat loss and share some tips on how residents can support amphibian and reptilian populations at home.

Tree of the Month: Loblolly Pine Tree

The evergreen loblolly pine has many fine characteristics that have made it one of the most planted trees across the USA! This southern bottomlands native has a versatility and robustness that enables it to thrive in a wide variety of environments. Here, we’ll explore why this fast-growing yellow pine tree fits so well into the Nashville area’s landscape.

Conservation, Preservation, and Reforestation: Exploring the Differences

The terms “conservation” and “preservation” are sometimes used interchangeably, and either of these strategies may or may not include reforestation efforts. In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between the three concepts, as well as how these different approaches to environmental stewardship are carried out in Nashville by several organizations. Throughout, we’ll see how the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps’ activities span all three realms.

Nashville Tree Conservation Corps works to promote, preserve, protect, and plant the tree canopy in Davidson County.