Extension: Urban Forestry | Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

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
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 replays:

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
Emerald Ash Borer: What to Expect; How to Respond, presented by Dr. Cameron Stauder
Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Grant, presented by Diane Warwick
Introduction to Tree Identification, presented by Joellen Dimond
Tennessee’s Landmark, Historic, and Heritage Tree Registry, presented by Tom Simpson
If You Plant It, They Will Come: Using Informed Tree Selection to Restore Pollinators and Songbirds in Human-Dominated Landscapes, presented by Desiree Narango
Tree Preservation During Construction: Getting to the Root of the Problem, presented by Beau Brodbeck
Tree City USA & Tree Campus USA Introduction, presented by Alana Tucker and Logan Donahoo

Residential and Community Forestry Resources

Meet the Residential and Community Forestry Workgroup

Residential and Community Forestry News

Tree News You Can Use: Pruning

Tree News You Can Use: Storm Damage

Tree failures can lead to major damages to structures.

Mature Hackberry tree that fell on a historic house in Nashville, TN.

Tree failures can damage both property and life.

Fallen trees that come in contact with high-voltage powerlines are extremely dangerous.

Uprooted pine trees following heavy, saturating rains.

Uprooted Tulip Poplar that fell against a condominium.

Tree News You Can Use: Site Selection

Trees are phototropic organisms; always reaching for sunlight. When trees are planted too closely to buildings, they may develop excessive lean angles.
Select appropriate species when planting near buildings. When planted too closely, they must be pruned more frequently, leading to additional stress on the tree.
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.

Tree News You Can Use: Spring Planting Selections

Eastern redbud blooms indicate the beginning of spring and bloom from late March to mid-April.

The ubiquitous dogwood offers blooms in early April.

Yellow bird magnolias put on a show of goblet-shaped flowers in April.

The starry blooms of star magnolias can be seen in March.

Carolina Silverbells flower in April and May.

Tree News You Can Use: Hiring the Right Tree Care Company Part I: Pruning

Tree News You Can Use: Hiring the Right Tree Care Company Part II: Pruning Techniques

Large pruning cuts take longer to compartmentalize (i.e., close). The longer a pruning cut remains open, the more succeptible the tree is to wood decay and fungi.
Very large pruning cuts or tears from limb losses may never fully compartmentalize (i.e., close), leaving behind an open cavity.
The size of the cut, as well as timing, matter can help reduce sap flow.
Small pruning cuts are rapidly compartmentalized, or closed.

Sharon Jean-Philippe and Lee Rumble speak with Brad and April Petree of Petree Arbor, Lawn and Landscape.

Tree News You Can Use: Tennessee Champion Tree Program

Tree News You Can Use: Fall Planting Season is Underway

Girdling roots are common in container-grown trees.
Improperly placed trees are more likely to succumb to declines and early tree death.
Poor planting practices, such as leaving straps attached to root balls, can eventually girdle the tree.