One of the major challenges of managing an old-growth forest in the heart of a city is the large number of non-native, invasive plants that find their way into the soil. Of the more than 350 species of trees, vines, and wildflowers found in the
In our previous blog post, we told you how students from Rhodes College are studying the Old Forest through examining what’s at the heart of its full-grown (or dead) trees. But there’s a lot to be learned from trees at a much younger life stage,
Many of us remember looking at tree rings when we were children, counting the grooves to figure out the age of a tree. But as this year’s Urban Forestry Fellows at Rhodes College are learning, tree rings can tell us about so much more than
Last week, the Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference came to town. “Walking in Memphis: The Future of the Urban Forest” brought professionals from around the state to learn about critical issues facing the urban forest, share solutions and technologies, and develop strategies for a greener future. And as
The Old Forest State Natural Area is full of mysteries. Why do some large trees withstand a windstorm while others fall? How old are our oldest trees? What plants are regenerating when a big tree falls and creates a gap that lets sunshine onto the
Overton Park is full of beautiful old trees. Many specimens in the Old Forest State Natural Area are estimated to be over 200 years old. But it’s not just old trees that are subject to falling during a wind or thunderstorm event–young trees that aren’t
