Tennessee Greentimes - Winter 2008

VOL. 9/ NO. 4

Winter 2008

10 Top Native Plants Suited to Southeastern Markets

The Small Maples‌ the Perfect Fit for Less-Spacious Lots

Tennessee

GREENTIMES The Official Publication of The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association

Table of Contents

UPCOMING EVENT TNLA’s 2009 Winter Education & Exhibits Program

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VOL. 9/ NO. 4

WINTER 2008

IN THE NURSERY 10 Top Native Plants Best Suited to Southeastern Markets

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departments From the President, Aaron Swafford ............................................................................ 6 TNLA New Members .................................................................................................... 21 Calendar of Events .......................................................................................................... 22 Index of Advertisers ........................................................................................................ 22

IN THE LANDSCAPE The Small Maples… the Perfect Fit for Less-Spacious Lots

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The Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation.

The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Tennessee Green Times, or its editors.

Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication.

Copyright ©2008 by the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. Tennessee Green Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association, 115 Lyon Street, McMinnville, TN 37110. Postage guaranteed.

Third-class postage is paid at McMinnville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Tennessee Green Times allows reprinting of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 7903718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

f rom t h e p r e s i d e n t Aaron Swafford

TIME FLIES When You’re Having Fun!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! —

TNLA Business Meeting January 14, 2009 8:00 a.m.

Kentucky Expo Center, South Wing B, 101 Louisville, KY

—

TNLA Business Meeting

J

ust like the old saying “Where did the time go,” 2008 has slipped into memory. The good news is that we made it through a pretty difficult year in business. Our industry is not only affected by a poor economy, but it is always driven by weather. The hope of surviving a year like this is that at least we learned something from it that will make us stronger for the future.

As for my year as TNLA president, I know that I personally have learned a great deal that has made me stronger. I have had the honor of watching how effective a small group of dedicated people can be. I have been awed by how our board members regard our industry and the way they have at times put our association ahead of their own businesses. A great deal of work and time has been involved, but I believe I can speak for the board when I say that it has been very rewarding. Serving with this group of people has not only been fun, but it has resulted in the development of friendships that will last a lifetime.

I cannot encourage you enough to get involved! I have talked to past board members, and all of them say they have no regrets in serving the TNLA. I recently attended a conference where one of the topics was “Advantages of Associations.” Do the more successful people belong to associations, or do people become more successful because of their membership in associations?

Honestly, I don’t know, but my thought is that is doesn’t really matter. The fact is that success seems to be directly related with the strength of associations.

I firmly believe that you should give back to and nurture whatever vocation God has placed you in. It is a way of investing in the future… passing on what you have learned to the next generation.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you. I hope I have passed something along that will indeed be of benefit. It seems like only yesterday I was learning the lessons from all those great nursery professionals who have gone before me… after all, time does fly when you are having fun!

Aaron Swafford 2008 TNLA President

February 2, 2009 4:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn, Salon B Pigeon Forge, TN

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The Tennessee Greentimes is the official publication of The Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association 115 Lyon Street McMinnville, Tennessee 37110 (931) 473-3951 Fax (931) 473-5883 www.tnla.com Email: mail@tnla.com Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Editors Bill Klingeman, Ph.D. Bob Trigiano, Ph.D. Associate Editors Dr. Donna Fare Dr. Nick Gawel Mr. Mark Halcomb Dr. Frank Hale Mr. Gray Haun Dr. Sandy Reed Dr. John Sorochan TNLA Officers President Aaron Swafford Swafford Nursery, Inc. 1st Vice President Marshall Allen Allen Landscape Management, LLC 2nd Vice President Tim Gallagher Heather Farms Nursery, Inc. 3rd Vice President John Watson, CLP Common Grounds Landscape Mgmt.

Secretary-Treasurer Randall Walker Randall Walker Farms Associate Director Mary Strong Barky Beaver Mulch & Soil Mix, Inc. Ex-Officio Steve Bennett Riverbend Nurseries, Inc. Executive Director Louree Walker Administrative Assistant Pam Stern

Upcoming Event

TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits February 2–3, 2009 • New Location: Holiday Inn • Pigeon Forge, TN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION 8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Aaron Swafford, TNLA President, with Dr. Jed Young, Tennessee Tech University 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

New and Unusual Plants from Around the World ** Presenter: Mr. Don Shadow, Shadow Nursery 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Efficiency Systems for B&B Production Presenter: Mr. Dwight Hughes, Dwight Hughes Nursery 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

BREAK WITH TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS

MORNING EDUCATION SESSIONS Concurrent Sessions A 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

A1. State and Federal Workforce Immigration Enforcement Presenter: Mr. Sean Lewis, Esq., Immigration & Citizenship Attorney 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

A2. Goofing Off in the Landscape (Landscape Goofs) Presenter: Dr. Douglas Airhart, Tennessee Tech University Concurrent Sessions B 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

B1. Composting: Methods and Site Management Presenter: Mr. Randy Dodson, Tennessee Tech University

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11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

B2. Conifers for the Tennessee Landscape ** Presenter: Mr. Hugh Conlon, UT Extension 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

AWARDS LUNCHEON and VISIT TRADESHOW

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Break with Tradeshow Exhibitors 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

B5. The Not-So-Unusual Plants for the Landscape ** Presenter: Mr. Lucas Holman, Westel Greenhouse 4:30 p.m.

TNLA BUSINESS MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Concurrent Sessions A 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

A3. Management of Nursery Stock on the Lot Presenter: Mr. Mark Halcomb, UT Extension 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

A4. Borers: General Information and Management for the Nursery and Landscape ** Presenter: Dr. Jason Oliver, Tennessee State University

6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AT HOTEL

EDUCATION SESSIONS Concurrent Sessions A

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Break with Tradeshow Exhibitors

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

A6. Disease Resistance: Saving Money on Health Costs ** Presenter: Dr. Mark Windham, University of Tennessee

3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

A5. Insects and Mites to Watch for in 2009 ** Presenter: Dr. Frank Hale, UT Extension

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

A7. Landscape Irrigation Design & Management Presenter: Dr. Brian Leib, University of Tennessee

Concurrent Sessions B

Concurrent Sessions B

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

B3. The Best of UT’s Gardens in 2008 Presenter: Mr. James Newburn, University of Tennessee

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

B6. Knock Their Socks Off! Outrageous Color in the Landscape Presenter: Ms. Carol Reese, UT Extension

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

B4. The Wow Factor: Practical Ways of Getting the “Wow” Response from Your Customer without Being a Pest Presenter: Ms. Barbara Wise, Southern Land

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

B7. Notable Plants that Brighten Winter’s Gloom ** Presenter: Mr. Jason Reeves, UT Extension

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Pesticide Recertification Points ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

BREAK WITH TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

New and Unusual Plants from Around the World: Part II ** Presenter: Mr. Don Shadow, Shadow Nursery 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Landscape Mechanization Strategies Presenter: Mr. Dwight Hughes, Dwight Hughes Nursery 12:15 p.m.

PROGRAM ADJOURNS

Pesticide recertification points have been assigned to the educational sessions with ** after their names.

One point in Categories C3, C10 and C12 will be given for attendance in each of these sessions. There are eight credits assigned; however, A5 and B5 are at the same time, so only one point will be given for this time period. Attendance at all of these sessions would give you 7 points in C3, C10 and C12.

Three TCNP credits have been assigned for education and exhibits.

TNLA Winter Education

HOST HOTEL Holiday Inn 3230 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN Room rates will be $65 for single/double.

Call 800-782-3119 to make reservations.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

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In The Nursery

By Jessica Smith Welch and Katie Smith Stovall, Oak Grove Nursery

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years ago, when Oak Grove Nursery added two daughters (us!) to the management and staff, thoughts turned to expanding our catalog of niche plant material, and we settled on native plants. While absorbing all the research and material we could find, we became fascinated with these diverse and beautiful plants, and they have rapidly become our steadily growing, true passion.

In just two short years, we have gone from producing just a handful of native tree and shrub species to our current offering of approximately 200 different native-species cultivars and varieties. We have also found a few special favorites that stand out among the rest. Below are our “Top 10 Under-Utilized Native Plants” that we expect to see used more frequently in the future.

Carolina Buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5–9 Native Habitat & Range: woodlands; NY to FL, west to NE and TX. * Dirr (1998) indicates this plant was introduced in 1727.

Maturing to 10'–15' tall by 8'–10' wide, Carolina buckthorn is a small tree or large shrub that provides at least nine months of great landscape beauty. After flowering in May, the plant’s small, red fruits drop to the ground but leave very little mess. Uneaten fruits darken to black and may persist until late November.

In full sun, Carolina buckthorn leaves appear to be polished to a high gloss.

Foliage is virtually pest free, with few scorch issues, and remains magnificent throughout the growing season. In fall, the foliage transitions through showy shades of yellow and orange, to red, then almost to purple. Even without foliage and fruit, this plant’s smooth gray bark can be enjoyed throughout the winter months.

Contrary to its common name, Carolina buckthorn has no thorns. It is greatly under-used by landscapers, partly because it is incorrectly believed to also have the aggressive growth habit of European buckthorn (R. cathartica).

Instead, Carolina buckthorn grows with

restraint and makes an impressive mass planting or specimen along shrub border.

Carolina buckthorn is very adaptable, tolerating full sun to moderate shade and is often found in nature as an understory tree where it prefers average, dryto-medium-wet but well-drained soils.

Sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5–9 Native Habitat & Range: woods and fencerows; PA west to IN, south to LA, FL From a propagation and production standpoint, sourwood is nearly equal parts reward and frustration. Propagation by seed is challenging, and the first year of a seedling’s life is ponderous and awkward. In subsequent years, sourwood trees continue to be very slow growers. Once established, though, sourwood trees grow to 25'–30' tall by 15'–25' wide. Sourwood can adapt to many light conditions, but best canopy forms are achieved in full sun. Trees prefer slightly acidic soil that can range from well-drained, loamy, sandy or clay and tolerate mild drought.

Sourwood is a pest-tolerant classic with a beautiful pyramidal form, slender trunk, narrow rounded crown and drooping branches. In June to early July, its white urn-shaped, fragrant flowers drape from branch tips, giving the tree a pendulous softness and attracting butterflies and honeybees. Greenish-yellow seedpods persist into fall.

Fall is the showcase season for this traffic-stopping native plant when sourwood’s lustrous, dark-green leaves begin their change. Fall color transitions from yellow into red and purple hues, often with all colors appearing at once on the tree.

American Snowbell (Styrax americanus) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5–9 Native Habitat & Range: Stream banks, woodlands, and swamp margins; VA to FL, west to the Mississippi River, occasionally into OH & PA This multiple-stem, under-story shrub can be trained as a single-stem, vaseshaped tree with smooth, gray-brown

bark. Mature size ranges from 5'–12' tall by 4'–6' wide. American snowbell is adapted to low, wet ground with poorly drained, acidic soil, but it tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

Bright green leaves have a ruffled margin, especially when they receive some sun. Appearing in late April or early May, flowers are the most striking feature of this wonderful plant. Five curled, white petals may cluster up to four per raceme. When in full blossom, flowers give the plant a dainty texture.

In late summer, the one-seeded fruits resemble fuzzy gray olives. Placement in full-to-partial sun will help this plant reach its full flowering potential.

From a production standpoint, Styrax americanus is a nursery manager’s gem, rooting readily and transplanting with ease. Aside from regular pruning, this plant is practically maintenance free.

Big-Leaf Snowbell (Styrax grandifolius) A close second for performance is Styrax americanus’ cousin, S. grandifolius, or big-leaf snowbell. Form and habit are very similar to S. americanus, but leaves are much larger, reaching 8" long by 5" wide. The plant attempts to hold its mature leaves upright, but the shrubs most often take on a sleepy appearance. In time, S. grandifolius can spread by root suckers to form a dense colony of thin vertical trunks. Flowers are similar in shape and size to American snowbell, but on S. grandifolius, they hang in sprays of 5 to 20 from newgrowth tips.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4–9 Native Habitat & Range: Bottomlands, rich woods; NY and southern Ontario west to southeastern IA and NE, south to eastern TX and north FL In a well-sited fertile location, with moist to well-drained, slightly acid soil, pawpaw will mature to a pyramidal tree, 15'–25' tall by 6'–10' wide. Left untouched, it can form dense, shady under-story thickets. Young plants perform best with partial shade, but they will tolerate higher levels of light when mature.

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Continued

Far right photo by Scott Bauer, courtesy of USDA Agriculture Reasearch Service

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drained, rich, neutral to slightly alkaline soils and tolerates full sun to part shade.

The tree’s most showy feature is its chains of snow-white, 1" flowers that hang from branch tips when leaves are almost fully expanded in May. Seedpods are 3"–4" oblong, leathery, flat sheaths that ripen in late summer and persist through winter. Leaves turn golden yellow in fall.

A slow grower, a young yellowwood can look gangly and may need 12 years to achieve full flowering. But, with a little patience, this tree can be a great addition to mid-sized and large landscapes.

Shining, Winged or Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus copallina)

Pawpaw leaves (which are 6"–12" long, dark green, oblong and drooping) turn shades of yellow and bronze in autumn. In mid-spring, three curved petals are presented on round, 11/2"– diameter chocolate-red to purple flowers. In fall, bright green, 2"–5" fruits mature to light yellow-green. Fruits have brown blotches when fully ripe, with a sweet banana-pineapple flavor and texture of custard. In nature, people compete with birds, raccoons, squirrels and opossums for this nutritious fruit.

American Yellowwood (Cladrastris lutea) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4–8 Native Habitat & Range: Rich bottomlands, cove forests and river bluffs; western NC through KY, TN and northern AL, scattered populations in eastern OK, along the White River in southern MO and AR Yellowwood, which was designated as Tennessee’s Bicentennial tree, gets its name from the light-yellow color of freshly cut heartwood. Extracts of yellowwood were once used to create a yellow dye to color homemade cloth.

Yellowwood is a low-branching tree with a broad crown that can mature to 30'–50' tall and wide that prefers well-

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4–9 Native Habitat & Range: Dry woods, clearings, fencerows, cliffs and old fields; from southern ME to TX and FL, west to NE Sumacs definitely have an image problem, with thoughts straying either to poison sumac or roadside weeds.

Today, though, taxonomists no longer identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac in the same Rhus genus.

In comparison to other sumacs, winged sumac is less coarse-textured than smooth (R. glabra) and staghorn sumac (R. typhina), and it has glossier summer foliage. We think flaming sumac (Rhus copallina) is the best of the best.

At maturity, this sumac is a large shrub or small tree that can exceed 20' tall and wide. When young, the plant can be dense, but with age, it becomes more open as it spreads. Its crooked, forked stems support a canopy of lustrous deep-green foliage, and its 6"-long yellow flower spikes form hairy, small red berries in late summer that provide food to migrating birds (flowers on male plants are showier and lack berries).

In fall, winged sumac turns spectacularly brilliant-crimson red and purple shades, and they are extraordinary when planted along an evergreen hedgerow or woodland edge.

Winged sumac prefers moist to dry, well-drained soil but tolerates drought and infertile soils, while remaining resistant both to diseases and insects.

Like other Rhus species, flaming sumac spreads by suckering from roots; shade helps slow root-sucker growth.

Beautiful native birches When most people speak highly of birch trees, they extol the virtues of ‘DuraHeat’ and ‘Heritage’ river birch varieties (Betula nigra). And, yes, these trees are wonderful in the Southern landscape.

But don’t overlook three other fantastic native birch species.

Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3–7 Native Habitat & Range: Rich woods and bottomlands; southern Newfoundland, Quebec, and Ontario west to MN, south to IN, TN and north GA Thriving in hot, dry conditions, yellow birch trees are large and broad-crowned, first growing as under-story plants for several years.When they find an opening in the canopy, they can reach 60'–80' tall by 15'–30' wide.

During summer, leaves are dark green, turning yellow in the fall. Flowers form delicate catkin pendants, and the conelike fruits are 1"–11/2" long.

Winter is a highlight season for yellow birch, which adds much color and texture to the winter garden. Its initially bright, shiny yellow bark becomes golden or bronze and matures to grayish brown. Older trees develop a shaggy appearance as their bark peels off in thin curling sheets.

Sweet Birch, Black Birch (Betula lenta) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4–7 Native Habitat & Range: Rich forests, rocky outcrops; ME and southeastern Ontario south to OH, VA and the Appalachians to north GA Sweet (or black) birch is similar in form but slightly smaller than yellow birch, maturing to 40'–60' tall by 10'–25' wide. Its shining reddish-brown juvenile bark turns purplish-grey to black with age. On older trees, the bark peels off in thick, rectangular plates.

Sweet birch grows best in moist, welldrained soil, but it tolerates drier soils

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and can grow in partial to full sun. It is resistant to bronze birch borer beetles that kill paper birch trees (B. papyrifera).

Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3–7 Native Habitat & Range: Nova Scotia & southern Quebec to NY, PA, northern VA, northern OH and northeastern IN In its native habitat, gray birch typically grows as a multiple-trunk cluster of trees, although it can be easily trained into a single-stemmed, 30'-tall landscape tree. While non-exfoliating, its pale bark with black patches still provides aesthetic interest. Glossy, dark-green leaves turn golden yellow in fall.

Its adaptability to dry or wet conditions and acidic, infertile, sandy or rocky soils makes gray birch an exceptional species for site restoration.

It is also very resistant to bronze birch borer beetles. C

About the authors: Katie Smith Stovall graduated in 2005 from Motlow State Community College. Jessica Smith Welch graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Nursery Management from the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee. After graduating, Katie and Jessica returned to Oak Grove Nursery in Belvidere, TN, founded in 1990 by parents Kevin and Evyonne Smith.

In The Landscape

By Hubert P. Conlon, UT Extension Area Specialist

W A native American maple, ‘Flamin go’ box elder (Acer negundo).

orldwide, maples comprise a large genus (Acer spp.) of some 200-plus species and cultivars. The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (5th edition) lists 51 species found in gardens across the U.S. Yet, only 15–20 are commonly planted in American landscapes.

The most popular are the large maples, valued for their summer shade and fall foliage color. Constructing larger homes on smaller-sized lots, however, is currently a popular housing trend that compels us to sort through the best of the medium and small maples.

While four medium-sized species — Amur (A. ginnala), trident maple (A. buergerianum), hedge (A. campestre) and purpleblow (A. truncatum) maples — are a better fit into today’s lessspacious landscape sites, even smaller species are available.

Japanese maples

e (Acer palmatum).

‘Tuamukeyama’, a cultivar of Japanese mapl

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Many small maples mature at under 25' in height, such as the popular Japanese maples (A. palmatum), which offer a vast array of shrub and tree forms of varying heights and leaf textures.

Spring and summer leaves vary from green to dark reddish purple, some with color variegation, and either cutleaf or dissected leaf forms. Several hundred cultivars are available through local and mail order sources.

If you are shopping for a core group of Acer palmatum cultivars for your nursery, garden center or landscaping clients, allow me to suggest:

• ‘Tamuke Yama’, ‘Inaba Shidare’ (Red Select) and ‘Crimson Queen’ — weeping, red cutleaf forms • ‘Viridis’ — weeping green cutleaf, maturing to 20'–25' • ‘Seiryu’ — upright green cutleaf, up to 15' • ‘Bloodgood’ — red palmate leaf, up to 20'–25' • ‘Heffner’s Red Select’ — a good alternative to ‘Bloodgood’; better retains its red leaf color longer into the late summer • ‘Butterflies’ — white variegated leaf, up to 12'–14'

Other Asian maples

golden leaves that transition into a redand-yellow color blend in the autumn.

Nurseries often graft onto A. palmatum rootstock to improve Shirasawa’s growth rate. Mature height: 12'–15.'

Hornbeam maple (A. carpinifolium)

Native maple options

Paperbark maple (A. griseum)

North America’s only native snakebark maple, this one is ideally suited for a partially shaded site. Intolerant to summer heat and best grown in cool soils, this tree is a good choice for gardens in northeast Tennessee in mountainous elevations. Mature height: 15,' sometimes taller.

Several small look-alike species native to Japan, Korea, China and/or Manchuria also are incorrectly called “Japanese maples.” These small maples are treasured for their ornamental foliage, colorful bark and branching patterns, and/or graceful plant form. The cornucopia of small Asiatic maples, both the old or new cultivars, keeps maple-philes (plant collectors) shopping for more.

Full moon maple (A. japonicum)

Also called red-twig Korean maple, this species’ 1- to 2-year-old branch wood turns blazing red in late fall through winter. More shrub than tree-like, it deserves a place in a partially shaded garden with adequate soil moisture.

Mature height: 20'–30.'

Korean maple (A. pseudosieboldianum) A cold-hardy species with circular, multilobed leaves that closely resemble A. japonicum, Korean maple creates a lovely small tree with vibrant orange, scarlet and crimson early-fall foliage.

It prefers a well-drained site, but its heat and drought tolerance in the South is unknown. Mature height: 15'–25.'

Shirasawa’s maple (A. shirasawanum) A “full moon look-alike” maple, this small tree or large shrub requires some protection from the harsh afternoon sun. The cultivar ‘Aureum’ has exceptionally beautiful circular, multi-lobed

Rarely planted, this tree needs protection from high winds and direct midday sun. David’s maple should be planted within view of its awesome whitegreen striated trunk. Mature height: 20'–30.'

With dark green leaves that resemble American hornbeam, this maple’s foliage turns golden brown in the fall.

It is best grown under partial shade with adequate soil moisture. Young trees are vase shaped, with a gray multi-stemmed smooth trunk. Mature height: 25'–30.'

With soft blue-green spring foliage that occasionally surprises into dark-red autumnal color, this tree should be visually sited to enjoy the four-season beauty of its smoothly polished cinnamon-brown exfoliating trunk and branch bark. Mid-afternoon sun protection during the summer months is warranted. Mature height: 15'–25.'

This maple is often confused with A. palmatum cultivars. The most popular variety is ‘Aconitifolium’. Circular, multilobed spring and summer leaves are soft green, changing to golden yellow or crimson red in the autumn. Early emerging spring foliage may be injured by frost and is best sited in a protected area. Mature height: 15'–30.'

David’s maple (A. davidii)

Pointed-leaf maple (A. barbinerve)

Manchurian striped maple (A. tegmentosum) With a “snakebark” feature (green-andwhite striated bark) and fine-textured foliage, these maples grow best under dappled, indirect sunlight.‘White Tigress’ is a hybrid selection (A. tegmentosum x A. davidii) displaying exceptionally showy white-and-green striped bark.

Mature height: 20'–30.'

Three-flower maple (A. triflorum) As it ages, this small trifoliate maple exposes more of its striking ashenbrown to amber-golden exfoliating bark over the main and scaffold branches.

Plant this species where it can be viewed and enjoyed year-round. Some sun protection in southerly climes in warmer USDA 7b is advised. Mature height: 15'–30.'

In addition to Asian maples, native small-maple species make beautiful additions to any Southern garden or landscape, including:

Striped maple, moosewood (A. pensylvanicum)

Ash-leaved maple or box elder (A. negundo) Although it performs well in any soil (wet, dry and/or nutritionally poor) and is a fast grower, mature box elder is notoriously weak wooded, with a mature height of 35'–40.' Shorter variegated or gold-leaf box elder cultivars make a better fit in small gardens.

Cultivar and site selection In general, small maples are long-lived and age gracefully, adding financial value to a property. Your selection should be based on several criteria. Most important is the geographical location within Tennessee. Full sun, partial shade, heat and drought are all indices likely to change from one year to the next.

Also, consider the traits of maple species and cultivars that best define what you are trying to achieve on the landscape site: • Mature tree height and width • Foliage: leaf form and texture, spring/summer leaf color(s), autumnal leaf color(s) • Trunk: snake bark or peeling (exfoliating) habit High winds and full afternoon sun exposure in the summer and winter seasons will negatively impact the

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Continued

long-term survival of many small maples.

It may be valuable first to create a protective greenbelt or microenvironment before planting small maples around your outdoor living area.

You may need to develop a contingency plan if some drastic change in the garden environment occurs. For example, a severe storm may topple one or more shade trees that formerly protected a magnificent specimen Japanese maple for many years.

Maple maintenance

‘Aureum’, a gorgeous golden cultivar of Shirasawa’s maple (Acer shirasawanum).

The culture for most small maples is approximately the same. All must be planted in well-drained soil that has been generously amended with composted organic matter. The ideal soil pH for most maples ranges from 5.8 to 6.5.

Keep small maples mulched to maintain moist, cool soil around the roots.

In addition, dissected leaf forms of

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A. palmatum, David’s maple (A. davidii) and striped maple (A. pennsylvanicum) prefer exposure to morning sunlight only and protection from wind.

Small maples, particularly those of Asiatic origin, thrive on frequent corrective pruning. Creating an interesting tree and shrub form is as easy as a “snip, snip.”

Since most cultivars are grafted, always remove all sucker growth emanating from the rootstock below the graft union.

During a long drought interval, slow deep irrigation every few weeks reduces undue tree stress. Annual light-to-moderate fertilization is recommended in late winter before leaf-out. Feeding small maples after August 1 is never a good practice.

On occasion, a drastic spring freeze and/or prolonged multi-year drought takes a serious toll on Japanese maples, killing valuable keepsake specimens.

Many cultivars rush their leaf emergence in the spring and are then either nipped or completely killed back by frost and freezes. Like a good wine vintage, the worth of a well-cared-for Asiatic maple appreciates with time. C

One of the great Asiatic snakebark maples, David’s maple (A. davidii).

New Members

Welcome, TNLA New Members!

ACTIVE MEMBERS Fall Creek Nursery Derrick Colwell 3260 Evins Mill Rd. Smithville, TN 37166 JSC Nursery James Cavett P.O. Box 723 Estill Springs, TN 37330 Monarch Landscape Co. (reinstated) Adam Chesney P.O. Box 68546 Nashville, TN 37206 Nashville Natives, LLC Andy Sudbrock 7443 Liberty Road Fairview, TN 37062

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Silver Bait LLC Bruno Durant 22785 SR 108 Coalmont, TN 37313 TreeSupports.com by T-Mate-O ( reinstated) Susan Kleinert 6921 Stacy Rd. Charlestown, IN 47111 Tri Green Equipment, LLC Cliff Greene 464 Middle TN Blvd.

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

classified

classified

American Wholesale Co. USED WALK-IN-COOLER-FREEZER BOXES REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS-EQUIPMENT. Large Inventory, All Sizes Buy • Sell – Nationwide Wholesale Prices Phone: 216-426-8882 • Fax: 216-426-8883 www.awrco.com

TATE ROSE NURSERY TYLER, TX Knock Out Varieties + 80 Additional Varieties 4th Generation Growers • Moderate Prices Phone: 903-593-1020 Fax: 903-593-2250 www.tateroses.com

AFFILIATE MEMBERS Nate Phillips M.T.S.U. Campus Box 5 Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Dr. Joseph Di Pietro UT Institute of Agriculture 101 Morgan Hall 2621 Morgan Circle Drive Knoxville, TN 37996

classified

classified

Hayes Nursery Enterprises 1474 Old Well Road Morrison, Tennessee 37357 Trudie or James Hayes, 931-939-7945 Liners to Landscape.

Vans Pines Nursery, Inc. West Olive, MI

Conifer Jiffy Plug Liners – Conifer Plug Plus Transplants – Deciduous Seedlings New 2008-2009 Catalog Now Available Call for yours at 1-800-888-7337 or www.vanspinesnursery.com

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WINTER 2008

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calendar of events

JANUARY 13–14

JANUARY 20–21

FEBRUARY 5–7

Mid-States Horticultural Expo (a partnership of TNLA and KNLA) Kentucky Exposition Center: Louisville, KY For advertising contact: Betsie A. Taylor, 800-735-9791 or KNLA@mis.net; http://www.knla.org For booth information contact: Louree Walker, 931-473-3951 or louree@TNLA.com

Green Express Short Course (Co-sponsored by Chattanooga Association of Landscape Professionals, U.T. Extension and Southern Adventist University) Southern Adventist University: Collegedale, TN For pre-registration form, go to: www.chattanoogalandscapers.com or email info@chattanoogalandscapers.com

South Carolina Horticulture Industry Trade Show Myrtle Beach Convention Center: Myrtle Beach, SC Contact: 864-592-3868 www.scnla.com

JANUARY 13–17 NCAN “Green & Growin’ Show” (North Carolina Assn. of Nurserymen) Greensboro Coliseum: Greensboro, NC Contact: 919-816-9119 Email: cgelvin@ncan.com

JANUARY 14–16 Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show McCormick Place: Chicago, IL Contact: 847-526-2010 www.midam.org

JANUARY 26–28 Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS) Columbus, OH Contact: 800-825-5062 www.onla.org/cents

FEBRUARY 2–3 TNLA Winter Education & Exhibits New Location: Holiday Inn Pigeon Forge, TN Contact: 931-473-3951 Fax: 931-473-5883 Email: mail@tnla.com www.tnla.com

FEBRUARY 6–9 ANLA Management Clinic Louisville, KY Contact: 202-789-2900 Fax: 202-789-1893 www.anla.org

February 12–13 Southern Nursery Association Trade Show (SNA) Cobb Galleria Centre: Atlanta, GA Contact: 770-953-3311 www.sna.org

Index of Advertisers American Wholesale Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.awrco.com Boshancee Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover www.boshanceensy.com Braun Horticulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.braungroup.com BWI Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 22 www.bwicompanies.com Carolina Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover www.carolinanurseries.com Central Landscape Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.centrallandscape.com Cherry Springs Nursery / Speer & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Crimson Dale Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.crimsondalenursery.com D & D Agri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Decker Nurseries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 www.deckersnursery.com Ewing Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover www.ewing1.com Forrest Nursery Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Forrest Keeling Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.fknursery.com Hayes Nursery Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Heather Farms Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.heatherfarmsnursery.com John Deere Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.johndeerelandscapes.com Larry A. Gribble Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Louisiana Forest Seed Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.midtennturf.com Motz & Son Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 NAVISTAR, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Surface Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 www.surfacenursery.com Swafford Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 www.swaffordnursery.com Syngenta Professional Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com

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WINTER 2008

Tate Rose Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 www.tateroses.com Tree Equipment Design, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.treeequip.com Turf Mountain Sod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 www.turfmountain.com Vans Pines Nursery, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 VIS Seed Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 www.visseed.com