Plant Sciences Commons^™

Pb1670 Dogwoods For American Gardens, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Seventeen species of dogwood are native to the United States, with about 50 throughout the northern hemisphere of the world. The familiar species we call “flowering dogwood,” Cornus florida, is related to many others. This publication discusses those of ornamental value. Most dogwood species are either shrubs or small trees and can be easily divided into two main groups: those with red fruit (occasionally yellow) and those with blue-black (sometimes whitish) fruit.

In addition to its beauty, the dogwood is an important food source for birds and wildlife. Berries of the flowering dogwood are eaten by many species of …

Sp574 Post-Planting Tree Care - Fallacies And Recommendations, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Most trees experience shock after transplanting because of the disturbance to the root system. In balled and burlapped (B&B) transplants, it is estimated that 4 to 9 percent of the original root system and about 2 percent of the soil volume occupied by the root system in the nursery is contained in the root ball (Watson 1994). Trees try to keep a balance between the above-ground portion of the tree and the root system (Perry 1982). When the amount of the root system is reduced during transplanting, the above-ground portion of the tree is also affected. The tree either is …

Sp573 How To Recognize And Prevent Tree Hazards, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Trees benefit us in many ways. They can also cause major damage when limbs or the whole tree falls on power lines, cars, houses or people. Usually, weakened trees give some warning signs of danger. By learning to recognize the signs and to follow-up with prompt, proper action, you can often manage this risk, saving yourself grief as well as money.

Sp575 Storm-Damaged Residential Trees - Assessment, Care And Prevention, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Snow, ice, wind, hail and even heavy rain can cause significant damage to residential trees. Understanding the impacts of storms on trees will allow you to develop both preventative measures to decrease the probability of tree damage and management approaches to care for trees after damage has occurred.

Trees may be uprooted, decapitated or suffer massive crown loss as branches are broken by the force of the wind or by the weight of ice and snow. Loss of large portions of the crown results in tree stress, a reduction of growth and entry sites for insects and disease. Depending on …

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 …

Phosphorus Dynamics In Tennessee Soils Receiving Various Long-Term Manure Applications, Laura Ruth Franks

Masters Theses

Manure application is an age-old process used by agriculturalists to fertilize the soil. In the past, manure application has been loosely based on the N need of the crop. However, this can lead to the potential over-fertilization of P. Long-term manure application has been shown to increase total soil P concentrations as much as eight fold. This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of long-term manure application on P characteristics of Tennessee soils. A total of 10 farms located in the various physiographic regions of Tennessee were sampled. Four of the farms received swine, three dairy, and …

Pb1649-Commercial Tall Fescue-Kentucky Bluegrass Sod Production, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Commercial Horticulture

Many Tennessee farmers, facing narrow profit margins and increasing price risk, are considering new or alternative crop enterprises. New crop enterprises are most successful if they make effective use of existing resources; are adapted to the local environment, soils and climate; and if they serve a market that is well-defined and expanding. Turfgrass sod production is one crop enterprise that may meet these criteria.

A sod production program is founded on agronomic principles. While corn, soybean and wheat production practices often result in increased grain yield, effective sod production results in healthy, dense vegetation free of most troublesome turfgrass pests. …

Sp307-G-Protecting Fruit Trees From Winter Injury, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Commercial Horticulture

Winter freeze damage, also called Southeast trunk injury, can be a problem for young fruit trees growing in Tennessee. This damage can occur on sunny winter days even though temperatures may be quite low. Sunlight striking the tree trunk may raise the temperature of the bark on the lower trunk to 80 or 90 F. Cambial tissue under the bark will lose hardiness. When the sun goes down, trunk temperatures will drop to the same temperature as the air. If this temperature drops below a critical point, these sensitive tissues will be injured or killed.

Sp307-M-Selecting Quality Peaches, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Fresh peaches provide a real summer taste treat. With proper preservation, they may be enjoyed all year long.

Peaches are called the “Queen of Fruits. ” They are grown commercially in most areas of Tennessee except for the Cumberland Plateau and the higher elevations of East Tennessee. Most years the peach harvest in Tennessee will extend from about June 1 through August.

Peaches may be purchased at grocery stores, at fruit and vegetable markets and at the farms where they are grown. On-farm markets may offer harvested fruit for sale or give you the opportunity to pick your own. Since …

Sp291-N-Raised Bed Gardening, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

No abstract provided.

Pb1648-Considering An Agritainment Enterprise In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Marketing, Finances and Value-Added Agriculture

Agritainment (agritourism and entertainment farming enterprises) has an extensive history in the United States. Farm-related recreation and tourism can be traced back to the late 1800s, when families visited farming relatives in an attempt to escape from the city’s summer heat. Visiting the country became even more popular with the widespread use of the automobile in the 1920s. Rural recreation gained interest again in the 1930s and 1940s by folks seeking an escape from the stresses of the Great Depression and World War II. These demands for rural recreation led to widespread interest in horseback riding, farm petting zoos and …

Pb1634-Growing Orchids In The Home, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Orchids are becoming increasingly popular as flowering houseplants due to improved cultivars and affordability. Once considered a rich person’s hobby, orchids are now more affordable, thanks to recent advances in propagation techniques. Since the first attempt to grow orchids in the mid-1700s, they have had a reputation for being difficult to grow; however, many orchids are as easy to grow as houseplants. Orchids are quite resilient, and can survive many years in the home with proper care.

Orchids are in the family Orchidaceae (or-kid-ACE-eeee). The orchid family includes more than 900 genera and about 25,000 species, making it one of …

Pb1642-Considerations For A Value-Added Agribusiness, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Marketing, Finances and Value-Added Agriculture

The Agricultural Development Center (ADC) was created by The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service during the spring of 1998. The ADC’s mission is to increase the value of Tennessee’s economy through new, expanded and improved processing and marketing of agriculture, aquaculture and forestry commodities, i.e., “adding value!” Value can be added by processing, packaging and marketing products developed from agricultural sources.

To take advantage of Tennessee’s value-added agricultural potential, farmers and agri-entrepreneurs must be aware of value-added opportunities, as well as informed about the feasibility, planning and market development associated with a value-added business. There are also income opportunities …