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 MoreFor the Eastern United States, springtime in 2024 is going to be unique! Two broods (or breeding groups) of periodical cicadas will emerge. Although Nashville will only see one of these two groups, the insects will be in much larger numbers than the annual cicadas that we hear in summer every year. If you’re located in Wilson or eastern Davidson counties, you may want to avoid making outdoor plans between May and July of this year, when the cicadas will be out in full force for several weeks.
Read MoreIn March 2024, legislation on new development in the city of Nashville was passed that now includes critical provisions for trees thanks to efforts led by Will Worrell, Nashville Tree Conservation Corps co-founder and board member. As part of NTCC’s mission to promote, preserve, protect, and plant trees in Nashville, contributing our expertise to developing legislation that positively affects the presence of trees in the city is an essential way of supporting our neighborhood canopies today and into the future.
Read MoreCreating awareness about canopy care is one of the most important ways to keep our city green! To help spread the message, the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps team will have a booth at two events in April 2024: Nashville’s Earth Day festival on Saturday, April 20th, and Honeytree Meadery’s Arbor Day celebration on Sunday, April 28th. Come have a conversation with us and join your Nashville neighbors in honoring our environment and its produce!
Read MoreElm trees can be found across the northern hemisphere, and while many were decimated in the twentieth century by Dutch elm disease, elm tree varieties have since been bred by nurseries to be resistant to the disease. The Frontier elm is one such cultivar, and it’s prized not just for its resilience but also for its more compact size, urban hardiness, and beautiful burgundy foliage in the fall. Here, we’ll go over why this elm tree has become such a popular planting choice.
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 MoreThere are many variations of the cherry trees that we can appreciate in different ways throughout the year. There’s no better time to take in the beauty of Nashville’s cherry blossoms than the month of April; the annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival will be held this year on Saturday, April 13th in Nashville Public Square Park. Visitors will be able to view many kinds of cherry trees in all their spring splendor!
Read MoreWhile there are many shapes and sizes of cherry blossom trees, the most popular cultivar among them is the Yoshino cherry blossom—a medium-height tree with a stout crown that, for a few weeks in mid-spring, bursts into bloom with bunches of blushing white flowers. Here, we’ll go over this cultivar’s background, the conditions it thrives in, as well as some suggestions on where you can enjoy this tree’s spectacular display in Nashville this spring.
Read MoreIn the wake of spring winds and storms, residents with trees on their properties are likely going to find woody debris of all sizes. In this article, we provide some practical guidance on using fallen branches and other debris to help care for Nashville’s urban forest. Instead of just dragging the woody material to the curb for pickup, consider these garden-friendly ways to use tree debris!
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 MoreWhen seasons change, Nashville can reliably expect storms to arise from the fluctuations in temperature. The high winds that accompany rain, thunder, and lighting can have mild to devastating effects on the trees in our neighborhoods, from broken branches to whole fallen trees. While we can’t eliminate all risks, preventive maintenance routines can help homeowners avoid damage from weather events. Prepare for the unpredictable with our guide to safeguarding your trees and avoiding damage during Nashville’s stormy weather!
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.
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Throughout the winter, trees continue to provide benefits despite being dormant, such as soil stability and habitat provision for wildlife. While fall brings vibrant colors after spring and summer’s greenery, being able to recognize trees in winter can add another layer of seasonal interest (that also builds your local tree knowledge) during the coldest months of the year.
Read MoreTrees that we plant in our yards and along streets interact with our homes, our utility connections, local wildlife, and even us! Since trees in neighborhoods and urban locations are more isolated than those in nature, they need our help to keep them in good condition, good health, and safe from the dangers of the built environment. In this article, we’ll go over some of the main benefits, techniques, and best practices to help your Nashville trees thrive.
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The founder of Nashville Tree Conservation Corps, Jim Gregory, is stepping back from his position as executive director, remaining with the organization in an advisory role. Without him, NTCC would not be making the impact it is today, so we thank him for his important work! We’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with Jim, but due to his departure, we have new leadership!
Read MoreNatchez crape myrtle trees are among the most popular ornamental trees in the Southern US, and these distinctive and distinguished trees can be found in gardens across Nashville. Crape myrtles are beloved for their compact size, sprayed shape, and tufts of fluffy flowers, and the Natchez variety is a favorite choice for its hardy nature and bright, white blooms. Here, we’ll go over why it’s so widespread.
Read MoreIt can be easy to take trees for granted; they’re in the background of everyday life, and big, mature trees are there for so many years that they seem like a given. However, anyone who has planted a sapling, maintained the trees in their yard, or dealt with a weak or aging tree knows that it’s a big responsibility!
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