Davey Tree Flipbooks

November/December 2014 | 5 Big Trees Unite Among the approximately 75 trees standing at Savage Garden, several state champion trees exist, including the following: • Chinese pistache • pond cypress • Japanese umbrella pine (one of the largest and oldest in Knoxville) • umbrella magnolia • Chinese fir (co-champion) • bald cypress (county co-champion) Don Williams, late horticulture pro- fessor at the University of Tennessee, first assessed the champion trees listed above. Jim Cortese re-assessed them in 2005. All are in good condition, except the umbrella magnolia, which su"ers from a granulated Asian ambrosia beetle infestation. Bill Dohm expressed interest in the property, contrary to what many would have assumed, considering the garden's poor state. "There was some talk about the property being developed," Dohm says. "I made an o"er and within three days it was accepted; it was the right moment." Dohm and his wife, Patty Cooper, bought the property from Arthur's daughter-in-law in 1986. His vision for Savage Garden? "To restore it beyond what it was." A NEW BEGINNING. Dohm needed some help revitalizing Savage Garden's 1.7 moderately-wooded acres. That's when college acquaintance and lifetime friend Jim Cortese, founder of Cortese Tree Specialists, came to mind. Dohm and Cortese met on campus at the University of Tennessee in the early 1980s. Aware Cortese Tree Specialists knew how to execute e"ective tree care techniques, Dohm reached out to the crew for help. "The professional relationship is important because I trust what Cortese has done," Dohm says. "They're reliable, they follow through and I can access them when needed." For example, when a second tornado ripped through Fountain City nearly 20 years ago, strong winds felled 15 trees—approximately six of them were very large oaks. "It left a big mess," Dohm says, explaining Cortese was onsite to help clear debris. From addressing major tree damage to simply keep the property stable, to determining more proactive solutions to improve the garden's aesthetic appeal, Residential Manager Sam Adams has witnessed the gradual progres- sion of tree care at Savage Garden for the past 15 years. CLEAR COMMUNICATION. Adams checks on the trees at Savage Garden several times throughout each year; he meets with Dohm at least once each quarter, typically when Dohm prompts him to take a look at a tree on the property. Nearly eight years ago, Dohm began ap- proaching Adams with more questions about his trees. "There was a period of building trust between us," Adams explains. "But now, I think Bill trusts my opinion to be honest." Cortese crewmembers have put forth much e"ort into thinning tree canopies, but they also maintain the property, treat trees for pests and diseases, perform some intensive pruning and remove trees. Although Dohm would like to continue eliminating trees with no value to the property, he and Cortese are trying to save others, such as an ailing state champion umbrella magnolia tree that was infested with the granulated Asian ambrosia beetle. "Bill and I have good lines of com- munication," Adams says. "I think Bill feels comfortable our crews have consistent knowl- edge across the board, and the communication between myself and the crews is very clear." Now, Savage Garden, one of eight properties Dohm and Cooper own, earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Savage Garden, 1926 (Photo courtesy of Thompson Photography Collection, McClung Historical Collection.)

• Cover