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Extension: Urban Forestry

Urban foresters attend to trees within the City of Knoxville.

The importance of trees, vegetation, and landscaping in urban areas cannot be understated. They help to cool cities, improve air quality and water quality, and help create desirable, pedestrian-friendly spaces. Our Urban Forestry Extension provides valuable, expert information on tree and urban landscape care and maintenance for private citizens, municipalities, and industry.

Contact

Sharon Jean-Philippe
Associate Professor
865-974-2946
jeanphil@utk.edu

Resources

Tennessee Urban Forestry Council Webinar Series

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) and the UT Residential and Community Forestry Workgroup have joined forces to bring you free educational seminars to help you manage urban forests.

Webinar schedule:

  • Plant Disease in Urban Forests, presented by Alan Windham
  • Proactive Pest Management in Winter and Spring, presented by Dr. Frank Hale
  • Stand Dynamics in the Old Forest State Natural Area, presented by Eric Bridges
  • Rethinking Trees, presented by Dr. Paul Ries
  • 3/18: Emerald Ash Borer: What to Expect; How to Respond presented by Dr. Cameron Stauder
  • 4/15: “You don’t have to plant a tree, but it’d be a whole lot cooler if you did!” presented by Diane Warwick

All webinars will be held at 12 pm ET/11 am CT.

3/18/2021 Webinar: Emerald Ash Borer: What to Expect; How to Respond, presented by Dr. Cameron Stauder


Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) is a destructive, wood-boring insect pest of North American ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). Currently, EAB has been detected in 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, causing extensive ash tree mortality in both urban and forested settings. This presentation will provide an overview of the current status of EAB and the management strategies being implemented to mitigate its effect.

Register for this webinar.

Residential and Community Forestry Resources

Meet the Residential and Community Forestry Workgroup

Residential and Community Forestry News

  • Tree failures can lead to major damages to structures.
    Tree failures can lead to major damages to structures.
  • Mature Hackberry tree that fell on a historic house in Nashville, TN.
    Mature Hackberry tree that fell on a historic house in Nashville, TN.
  • Tree failures can damage both property and life.
    Tree failures can damage both property and life.
  • Fallen trees that come in contact with high-voltage powerlines are extremely dangerous.
    Fallen trees that come in contact with high-voltage powerlines are extremely dangerous.
  • Uprooted pine trees following heavy, saturating rains.
    Uprooted pine trees following heavy, saturating rains.
  • Uprooted Tulip Poplar that fell against a condominium.
    Uprooted Tulip Poplar that fell against a condominium.
    • This tree was planted too closely to a building.
      Trees are phototropic organisms; always reaching for sunlight. When trees are planted too closely to buildings, they may develop excessive lean angles.
    • This tree was planted too closely to a building.
      Select appropriate species when planting near buildings. When planted too closely, they must be pruned more frequently, leading to additional stress on the tree.
    • This tree was planted too closely to a building.
      Always consider the mature size of the tree when planting near buildings.

    Tree News You Can Use: Selecting and Establishing the Right Plant

    • Avoid trees with any obvious defects along the main trunk or branches.
    • Discolored and girdling roots will lead to slow plant decline.
    • Pay attention and seek out high quality graft unions, as shown here.
    • Ensure proper planting depth in the container. This tree was planted too deeply.
    • Good quality rooting habits will go a long way in ensuring long-term tree survival.
    • Seek out trees with well-developed trunk taper, free of errant roots.

    Tree News You Can Use: Selecting and Establishing the Right Plant: Fall Planting Part 2

    Tree News You Can Use: Trees and Winter Weather

  • Close-up of rough tree bark.
    Some tree barks can be identified from many yards away.
  • A large tree is silhouetted against a sunset.
    The contrast of tree trunks against the landscape shows the beauty of the tree.
  • A large, old tree shows it structure during dormant months.
    Tree structure can best be evaluated during the dormant season.
  • A close-up of rough, chunky tree bark.
    Tree bark is multifunctional and brings texture into our landscapes.
  • Young, newly formed leaves emerge from a tree exiting dormancy.
    Soon, a wide variety of newly formed leaves will emerge.
    • Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
    • 427 Plant Biotechnology Building
    • 2505 E.J. Chapman Drive
    • Knoxville, TN 37996-4563
    • P: 865-974-7126
    • fwf@utk.edu

    Meet our Advisory Board

    FWF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Important Phone Numbers:

    Academic Inquiries:
    865-974-7987

    Forestry & Wildlife Extension:
    865-974-7346

    General Inquiries:
    865-974-7126

    Bookkeeping/Invoicing:
    865-974-7986

    Department Head:
    865-974-2706

    Fax: 865-974-4714

    Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries logo