Life Sciences Commons^™

Pb1576 Selecting Fescues, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Four fescue species are maintained as lawngrasses in Tennessee. Originally from Europe, these perennial, cool-season lawngrasses are an integral part of many Tennessee landscapes. They grow best in deep, well-drained soils at air temperatures from 60 to 75 F. High temperatures and drought often slow their rate of growth during late spring and summer. Species and varieties may vary in color, leaf texture, stand density, disease resistance and tolerance of shade, high temperature and drought. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. This medium- to coarse-textured lawngrass tolerates high temperatures, …

Pb1621-Best Management Practices For Planting Ornamental Plants, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

While spring is a popular planting season, fall may be the best time to plant. Fall planting can help woody ornamental plants survive in the landscape. In fall, plant shoots need fewer nutrients because winter dormancy is approaching. In fall too, carbohydrate plant “food” is produced in leaves and moves to roots, which helps plant growth and survival. Importantly, roots continue to grow until soil temperatures drop below 45-50 F (7-10 C). It is extremely important to water when planting in fall because October and November are usually very dry months with little rainfall. But fallplanted plants also will not …

Pb1621-S-Prácticas Gerenciales Óptimas Para La Plantación De Plantas Ornamentales, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Aunque la primavera es una época popular para plantar, el otoño puede ser la mejor época para hacerlo. La plantación en otoño puede ayudar a que las plantas ornamentales leñosas sobrevivan en el jardín. En otoño, los brotes necesitan menos nutrientes porque se está acercando el estado latente del invierno. También, en otoño, los carbohidratos que sirven como “comida” para la planta, son transportados de las hojas, donde fueron producidos, a las raíces. Esto ayuda al crecimiento y supervivencia de la planta. Las raíces continúan creciendo hasta que la temperatura del suelo baje a más de 45°-50° F (de 7°-10° …

Sp628 Choosing 'Sewer Safer' Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Municipal sanitary sewer systems are, second to the drinking water system, the most important public health asset of a city. When they are properly operating, that is, carrying the wastewater and sewage away from homes and businesses and to the treatment plant, they protect the public from the potential health hazards associated with human waste. However, when blockages in the pipes cause backups into homes or businesses or overflows in streets or rightof- ways, the health of citizens is at risk. One of the factors that contributes to sewer line blockages is the intrusion of tree roots. Landowners and landscape …

Sp656 Shade And Flood Tolerance Of Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Most trees have very specific requirements for how much sunlight or shade that they are able to endure. Some trees do well in full sunlight, while other trees do not perform as well. Some trees are more adaptable than others to varying amounts of sunlight. Recognizing the light requirements of different species of trees will assist in proper tree selection in the landscape and will promote healthy trees.

As with light requirements, different trees have different tolerances to flooding. This factsheet discusses and lists the comparative tolerance of trees to shade or sunlight and to flooding.

Sp629 Growing Trees From Seed, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Often seedlings or saplings for a desired but uncommon tree are not commercially available for planting. Growing trees from seed is an effective method in obtaining these trees. Some people may wish to preserve offspring of a favored parent tree or just enjoy growing trees from seed as a green thumb project. Knowing when and how to collect and germinate tree seed is essential for success.

Seeds are a primary means of trees perpetuating themselves. The proper handling of seed through the processes of ripening or maturation, collecting, processing, storage (if needed), dormancy, stratification and germination is required for success …

Sp611 Trees To Plant Under Power Lines, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Serious conflicts often develop between utilities and trees. Trees that grow into electric wires pose serious safety issues and often result in less reliable service. Util- ity companies spend more than $1 billion annually for tree pruning, passing this cost on to the consumer. In addition, trees are often disÞ gured by improper pruning and killed or seriously injured by excavation for underground wires and pipes.

Sp616 Fast-Growing Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Many homeowners desire shade from large trees to provide some degree of cooling during hot summer days. Often, new buildings and developed properties on former agricultural land are devoid of shade trees. In other cases, large trees that have provided shade for years have declined, been damaged in storms and other weather events and eventually have died and been removed. Owners often prefer a source of shade quickly for their homes and properties. Fast-growing trees could be the answer. However, there are some inherent problems with fast-growing trees that should be considered.

Sp307-B-Planting Fruit Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

No abstract provided.

Sp571 Successfully Transplanting Established Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Planning and preparation are the keys to successfully transplanting established trees from one area of your property to another.

Sp572 Transplanting Trees, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Successfully transplanting trees depends on decisions and production practices that take place long before the first shovel of soil is turned. Selecting the right species and high-quality nursery stock based on planting site characteristics, available care after planting, transplant size, root ball characteristics and nursery production practices is essential to successful transplanting. The rewards for attention to these details will be realized as the transplanted tree matures and increases its importance to your property.

Trees experience tremendous stress in the transplanting process, primarily from adverse changes in their ability to absorb water due to root loss. Water stress is the …

Sp530 Urban Trees For Wildlife, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Viewing wildlife on your property is educational and fun. The kinds and numbers of wildlife that visit your backyard regularly depends on your location, size of area, variety of vegetation and amount of habitat development. Ideally, the habitat surrounding your home should be diverse with several species of trees, shrubs and flowering plants providing food and cover for wildlife throughout the year. The more diverse the vegetation, the greater variety of wildlife that can be attracted to the area.

Sp533 Trees For Poorly Drained Soils In The Landscape, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Preparation for planting is the key to success in establishing landscape plants. Preparation includes site analysis, design, plant selection and installation, as well as planning for follow-up care and maintenance. Site analysis and proper planting assure rapid plant establishment and healthy growth, provided environmental factors are favorable. However, proper planting involves much more than just digging a hole and sticking a plant in it. By taking a little extra time to plant properly, you can avoid future costly maintenance problems.

Sp532 Trees To Plant In Containers Or Wells, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Landscaping in a small area is challenging, but popular. Planting trees in small areas can limit root and shoot development. Proper selection of plant material for small areas is important to ensure a healthy environment for the plant. Sidewalks, patios, decks, entrances, courtyards and other small areas can be landscaped with the use of containers or wells with restricted soil area.

Sp510 Diversified Urban Plantings, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

With a little creativity and a well-chosen repertoire of plant materials, there are ways to achieve picturesque and durable urban landscapes. Too often, a city planting consists of a row of the same evergreen trees throughout, or a virtual island of low shrubbery. Though plants for the city may need more careful selection, humdrum landscapes need not be the result.

Sp511 Plant The Right Tree In The Right Place, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Trees enhance the beauty and value of homes, streets and communities. However, trees planted in the wrong place can cause property damage and become a detriment rather than an asset. Planning the location and species of a tree will ensure that the tree will be an asset and not grow into a hazard or a nuisance.

“What tree should I plant?” is a question asked frequently by homeowners. The answer to the question depends on several factors:

1. Purpose for planting the tree.

2. Soil conditions.

3. Tree location, the right place.

4. Species growth and form, the right …

Sp512 Trees To Reconsider Before Planting, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

All trees have their good and bad characteristics. Rarely does a tree throughout its lifetime satisfy or even maintain the objectives for which it was planted. Trees become larger over time, often outgrowing their original growing space both above and below the ground. Some trees also droduct fruits or seeds that may be troublesome to the homeowner. An example of a tree planted to fulfill a need, but later presenting problems is silver maple, which grows and provides shade quickly. However, it is a short-lived tree with brittle wood prone to limb breakage during wind and ice storms. Another example …

Sp513 Small Flowering Trees For Tennessee Landscapes, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Small flowering trees are second only to shade trees for importance in the landscape. Flowering trees are valuable plants with colorful, showy blossoms and other unusual features that give interest and variety in the landscape. All trees flower, but large trees are valued for providing shade, even though flowers may be noticeable. Large trees establish the basic framework of the landscape and should be planted in key locations for optimal shading. Most properties need both small and large trees, which creates a more desirable landscape.

Carefully select your small flowering trees to ensure they fit into the landscape. In addition …

Sp515 Native Trees For Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Native trees are a natural. They have been in Tennessee since before the arrival of European settlers. Native trees are already part of the ecosystem, contributing to local energy flows and nutrient cycles. Other organisms in the system are adapted to the structure, function and chemical composition of native trees. Birds, insects, fungi and other wildlife recognize and use native trees to support their biological needs. Trees introduced from other countries or areas, the so-called exotics, do not always fulfill these needs.

Sp517 Evergreen Trees For Screens And Hedges In The Landscape, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Screens and hedges are a popular way to create privacy or hide an undesirable view. They can be anything from a section of a fence to individually designed panels, brick walls or a wall of green plant material. Plantings are usually a less expensive way to create privacy than a fence or wall. Screens or hedges also offer additional advantages to many landscapes other than privacy. For example, they can frame a terrace or provide a backdrop to a herbaceous garden or other garden features.

Sp514 Small Trees For Fall Splendor, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Many cities, municipalities, utility companies and homeowners incur significant costs each year for maintenance or removal of large trees used in small urban areas. A preventative solution to the dilemma is to use small trees that will remain in scale with smaller urban landscapes and not interfere with power lines and in-ground utilities (i.e. cable, sewer, and telephone). Smaller trees will not provide the shade of large, dense-canopy trees, but are especially suited for courtyards, patios or framing a house.

Small trees are considered to mature in height at about 25 to 35 feet. No strict rule exists as to …

Sp284-C-Planting Blackberries And Raspberries In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Blackberries and raspberries (brambles) are a commonly planted small fruit in home gardens. They have vigorous growth, are seldom injured by spring frost and consistently produce high-quality fruit. The fruit is used for jams, jellies, pies and as a fresh fruit. Because of their vigorous growth, brambles should be planted in an area where they can be contained. They lend themselves as effective screens along property lines in landscapes. A reduction in the availability of wild berries make these fruits even more popular in home plantings. By choosing different types of brambles, you can harvest fresh fruit five to six …

Sp284-D-Planting Blueberries In Home Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Blueberries are a popular small-fruited plant in Tennessee. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used in jams, preserves, pies, with ice cream and in blueberry muffins and pancakes. Once established, plants are not difficult to maintain. Establishment, however, can be laborious. Plants can be easily grown in existing home landscapes and provide fruit while adding beauty to the landscape. Birds are usually the most troublesome pest after plants begin to fruit. After planting, the first good fruit yield will generally occur after three to five years. However, the length of time to fruiting will vary with the age of …