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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read More
The alluring deodar cedar has a distinct form, with asymmetrical tiers of branches whose cascading foliage becomes fuller and more graceful as the tree matures. This weeping evergreen species adds a hardy and playful profile to the Nashville landscape, while its versatile nature allows the deodar cedar to fit into almost any neighborhood yard.
Read MoreThe “Leave the Leaves” campaign has gained momentum in recent years, so in this article, we’re going to break down why it’s important for fallen leaves to be kept in their home yard. Before decomposing and releasing nutrients for plants to grow, winter leaf cover provides habitats for local wildlife. Toward the end of the article, we’ll share some actionable tips that you can use every autumn to create habitats for Nashville’s wildlife, return nutrients to the soil, and get the most out of your tree’s fallen foliage!
Read MoreTrees are a precious commodity in urban and suburban areas, so when one needs to be taken down, not only is it particularly noticeable, it may be a sensitive concern for residents. In this article, we’ll go over the reasons why a tree may need to be removed, what sort of equipment professionals use to accomplish the task safely, and the process of taking down a tree cautiously and effectively in a neighborhood setting.
Read MoreIn early 2024, the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps submitted a grant application to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry for funds toward a collaborative project with Fisk University to revitalize its campus canopy cover. Grant funding has been approved, and the Fisk Tree Canopy Project will begin in the fall!
Read MoreHardy and elegant, the southern magnolia is a wonderful addition to any Nashville yard! It offers a wide range of benefits, such as beautiful, fragrant flowers and bushy evergreen foliage that provides privacy, shade, and an animal habitat year-round. Here, we’ll go over the “D.D. Blanchard” cultivar, which produces the large, creamy white flowers Nashvillians know and love. Read on to learn all about this superb species and its place in the neighborhood landscape!
Read MoreThe Metro Historic & Specimen Trees Program helps counter indiscriminate removal of the most significant canopy trees in our city. This gives homeowners some legal power to preserve trees on their property and ensure that even if the property is sold and developed, our big, old beloved trees may remain.
Read MoreOversight and maintenance of the trees found along the street falls under the domain of one of a number of public organizations depending on the particular need, including Metro Water Services (MWS), Nashville Electric Service (NES), and the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT). Here, we’ll go over those care situations, as well as how residents can plant new street trees.
Read More
Whether they live in trees, burrow under them, or use them to manage their environment, mammal niches both large and small take up space in wooded ecosystems. In this article on the fauna of Nashville’s canopy, we’ll explore the range of mammal relationships with trees and the local food web, also taking a look at how humans (we’re mammals, too!) fit into the mix.
Read More
The overcup oak is a swampy native to the warm bottomlands and wetlands of the southeast. A member of the white oak family, it’s a particularly hardy species whose resilient characteristics, such as flood and drought tolerance, make it an excellent option for urban areas like Nashville.
Read More
In ovens, fireplaces, fire pits, and grills, wood is a natural source of heat that many of us enjoy. Whether burning firewood for fuel or for enjoyment (or both), the type of wood you choose makes a difference! The heat put off, the length of the burn, and even the scent are all variables when it comes to firewood needs and preferences. However, no matter the species or use, good preparation and storage are essential for a happy fire at home.
Read More
For birds, tree canopies provide essential habitats, and for trees, birds provide a range of supportive services that help maintain them throughout their lives and across generations. In this article on the fauna of Nashville’s canopy, we’ll explore the deep connections that exist between birds and trees. We’ll also share some tips on selecting trees to attract birds to your own yard to help support the local bird population.
Read MoreTo a nonprofit like the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps, volunteers are foundational! This is true throughout the organization; our managerial structure, planting and maintenance teams, generous donors, and caring partners volunteer their time and energy to fulfill our mission of promoting, preserving, protecting, and planting the trees that make up Nashville’s canopy ecosystem.
Read MoreThe majestic bur oak tree is a beautiful symbol of environmental health and durability! This gigantic, long-lived oak is an important ecological species and is widely adaptable as a landscape specimen. Here, we’ll go over the features of bur oak trees and their environmental needs while highlighting their contributions to the local ecosystem.
Read MoreAmong the many wonderful things about trees, one of the most relieving is the knowledge that we can find refuge from the sun under a tall, leafy tree in the heat of summertime. Here, we’ll go over how shade trees make an impact on the climate, which species are sun-loving powerhouses of shade production, and how we benefit from them in multiple ways throughout the warmest months of the year.
Read MoreThere’s an oak for almost every situation, and for clay-heavy or lowland ground, the swamp white oak just might be the right fit! A robust native tree, this beautiful white oak species is a huge, long-lived shade tree that is very important to the local ecosystem, making it all the more fortunate that these tough oaks do well in urban and neighborhood areas.
Read MoreNational Pollinator Week 2024 is June 17 to 23, and we at the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps are so grateful for those busy little creatures! In this article, we’ll profile the bees, butterflies, and other wildlife species that move pollen from flower to flower and plant to plant. We’ll also share some information on a delightful Tennessee state program that manages pollinator environments along roadways, and we’ll provide some tips on what residents can do at home to create yards and gardens to attract pollinators.
Read MoreSome plants signal spring’s arrival by flowering in the cool months of March and April, but there are several Nashville trees that prefer the warmer half of spring. Here, we’ll go over five of those trees that extend the springtime floral show right up to summer.
Read More