NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 19, 2024 – H.G. Hill Realty Company is beginning the process of removing and replacing 31 diseased Princeton Elm trees that primarily line the Main Street at Hill Center Green Hills. The removal and replacement follow three years of monitoring, testing and diagnosing the affected trees, which are among 121 trees planted at the opening of the center in 2007.
“Soil tests and reviews by arborists were conducted in the summer of 2021 when the trees were initially noted to be in decline with no conclusive determination of the cause,” said Kim Hawkins, ASLA, a founding principal of landscape architecture and planning firm, Hawkins Partners, Inc. “We continued monitoring the trees throughout 2022 and in September 2023, following the death of several of the elms, we conducted additional diagnostics and the affected elms tested positive for Phloem Necrosis.”
Commonly known as Elm Yellows, the disease affects the inner bark of the tree, and once infected, the trees die within one to two years. “It’s advisable to remove all infected trees as soon as possible to limit its spread,” said Hawkins. “To further understand the disease, our team consulted with Scott Schlarbaun, professor and director of the UT Tree Improvement Program at UT School of Natural Resources for his assessment. He shared that there is no known cure for Elm Yellows, which is spread by leaf hoppers or through root grafts, and that there’s a similar disease called Ash Yellows, both of which have been around for years.”
The Elms are being replaced with a combination of three urban tree adapted species, including Overcup Oak, Pistachio and Trident Maple. The large nursery grown trees will be approximately 22-28 feet at installation, which is expected to begin March 11. The removal and installation adheres to the guidelines and procedures outlined in Ordinance BL2021-829, established by Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for the protection of the area’s urban tree canopy.
“We modeled Hill Center Green Hills, our flagship mixed-use lifestyle center, after a tree-lined main street, with Princeton Elms chosen specifically for their beautiful spreading canopies.” said Jimmy Granbery, chair and CEO, H.G. Hill Realty Company. “And while it’s never an easy decision to remove mature trees, we are confident that we are taking the right course of action for the health of the entire canopy.”
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Located in Nashville’s most desirable shopping destination, Hill Center Green Hills is a mixed-use 240,000 square foot outdoor lifestyle center anchored by Anthropologie and Whole Foods with more than 20 specialty shops and several restaurants. Discover an array of boutiques including The Cosmetic Market, H. Audrey, Hemline, Oak Hall and Posh Boutique alongside nationally recognized retailers Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, lululemon athletica, Vineyard Vines, West Elm and more. Dining options include Doughbird Pizza + Chicken, Shake Shack, Whole Foods Market and Taco Bamba, coming soon. Working at Hill Center Green Hills means access to plenty of amenities, outdoor areas and ample parking. Owned and operated by H.G. Hill Realty Company, the center is recognized for excellence in urban and landscape design, and sustainability practices. Visit hillcentergreenhills.com for directory and leasing.
About H.G. Hill Realty Company, LLC
H.G. Hill Realty Company has been growing with Nashville since 1895. What started as a grocery store business has evolved into a privately held real estate portfolio of more than two million square feet. Ushering in a new era that began in 1999 with the sale of the grocery store operations to independent owners, the company’s mixed-use lifestyle centers may be found throughout Nashville and surrounding areas. Setting the standard for innovative design and development, the company’s flagship center, Hill Center Green Hills – and its development team – have received numerous awards and recognition for excellence in built environment/urban design, landscape design and sustainability practices. Recognition has been received by NAIOP Nashville, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Tennessee Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA), Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Nashville District Council, Nashville Business Journal, Nashville Post, Metro Nashville Tree Advisory Committee, and more. For more information, visit hghill.com.
