2006 ReLeafing Day

WHAT: ReLeafing Day when volunteers plant powerline-approved trees in two urban neighborhoods

WHEN: November 18, 2006, 8:30-10 a.m. in Sylvan Heights neighborhood and 10 a.m. to noon in Historic Germantown

WHERE: Park Avenue Enhanced Option School, 3703 Park Avenue -- 8:30 a.m. for planting assignments
Fifth Avenue North and Monroe Street -- 10 a.m. for planting assignments

WHO: Joint project of Nashville Tree Foundation, Metro Tree Advisory Committee, and Nashville Electric Service

WHY: To demonstrate the best trees to plant under powerlines that will need little or any pruning during their life time. Metro Tree Advisory Committee developed a list of 19 species with a maximum height of 20 feet at maturity that are considered powerline-approved.

HOW: Volunteers will plant 35 trees -- dogwood, cherry, maple and redbud -- in Sylvan Heights from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 35 of the same species plus buckeye in Historic Germantown from 10 a.m. to noon

They will also plant five shade trees and nine crape myrtles on the grounds of Park Avenue School and more than 20 crape myrtles at the gateway entrances of the Sylvan Heights neighborhood

Members of Metro Tree Advisory Committee will assist and supervise the volunteer planters in the proper planting of trees

Beard's Landscaping will bring its watering truck to fill the water rings provided with each tree.

An educational brochure describing the various species of powerline-approved trees and their maximum heights will be available

OTHER: The Magdeburg Oak, a Northern Red Oak given to Nashville from its sister city in Germany, will be planted on the portion of the Magdeburg Greenway that runs through Morgan Park, 411 Hume Street, at 10:45 a.m. by representatives of Sister Cities of Nashville and Historic Germantown and Tree Foundation president Betty Brown.

The 4-foot tree was presented to Mayor Bill Purcell to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Nashville becoming a city October 1. TOP

 

Mt. Olivet named arboretum

Nashville Tree Foundation has designated Mt. Olivet Cemetery as one of its recognized arboretums. A bronze plaque will be awarded as part of the cemetery’s 150th anniversary celebration April 30 from 1 to 5 p.m.

“We are pleased to designate this historic cemetery with its many and varied species of trees as an arboretum,” said Betty Brown, president of the Tree Foundation.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery is the burial site of  many famous Nashvillians as well as seven Confederate generals, three Union generals, six Tennessee governors, and 1,500 Confederate soldiers in Confederate Circle.

The program begins at 1 p.m. with keynote addresses by state dignitaries. TOP

Look overhead before you start to dig

One of the most frequent mistakes homeowners make when planting trees is not considering the powerlines.

It’s an easy mistake to make. Visualizing the impact of a mature tree can be difficult when you are looking at a sapling. As a result, many yards have inappropriate trees growing too close to powerlines.

Trees like those all too often cause power outages from falling branches, so they face frequent, often unattractive trimming.
Do your homework before choosing a tree. The first step is deciding why you want the tree: for shade, for screening, as a landscape accent? That gives you some direction as you begin to consider (and eliminate) certain species.

Next, look at the location of powerlines and mark off the zones near them. From the area directly under lines to 20 feet away, plant only trees or shrubs that will grow to no more than 20 feet high. From the spot 20 feet away out to 50 feet away, plant trees that will reach no more than 45 feet.

Trees that will grow higher than 45 feet should be located at least 50 feet away from powerlines. TOP

Tree newsletter now online
Simply click here and you can download a PDF of the latest Tree newsletter in its entirety. You'll need Acrobat's Reader program (which is free and located here). Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download the file. Let us know what you think about this new feature: webmaster@nashvilletreefoundation.org. TOP

Speaker Bureau
If you would like a tree expert to address your group or meeting, call the Tree Foundation at 615-292-5175. TOP