☕🌳 Coffee and Trees – Episode 3! 🌳☕

It’s time for Episode 3 of Coffee and Trees!
This blog is about trees and coffee. Why? Because we love both! This week we are looking at two popular Upstate favorites, Barista Alley and Japanese Maple Trees.
So… let’s get rolling!

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☕ First Up: Coffee ☕

Our 10-Point Coffee Shop Review System

Every shop we visit gets scored using the same ten categories, divided into Menu, Location, and Workability:

Menu

1. Beans

2. Drip Coffee

3. Pour Overs

4. Espresso Drinks

5. Non-Coffee Options

6. Food

Location & Atmosphere
7. Vibe
8. Seating

Workability
9. Work-Friendliness
10. Parking & Access

Each category is rated on a 10-point scale and averaged for a final score out of 100.

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Barista Alley Coffee Scorecard

Overall Score: 91/100

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Overview

Barista Alley is the kind of shop that checks every box. Want a solid date spot? A place to get some work done? Locally roasted beans? A seasonal latte that doesn’t taste like a Bath & Body Works candle? Barista Alley in Greer delivers.

They’re holding the highest score so far based on our rating system — and I’m not surprised. Would I take Tandem’s crepes over theirs? Probably. Would I give Methodical’s beans a slight edge? Maybe — but only just. What makes Barista Alley shine is that they do a little bit of everything, and they do it all well.

You can come here to catch up with a friend or get locked in for two hours of focused work. You can grab a latte and wander around Greer, or try something interesting from the seasonal menu and sit upstairs for a while. It all works.

It’s also a hub — for Greer locals, college students, remote workers, retired folks taking a break from their romantic afternoon walk, a couple of Moms talking about their days, somebody on Final Cut busting out a promo video, and maybe a seminary student reading systematic theology. You’ll see all of them here, and they all belong.

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Location and Vibe

Barista Alley is tucked into a handsome old bank building in downtown Greer, complete with a merch stand inside the original vault. The building itself sits at a unique fork in the road — an architectural feature that adds even more character.

You order downstairs, then you can climb up to the second floor with its big windows, tons of natural light, leafy plants, local art, and a view that’s hard to beat. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to stay awhile.

Growing up homeschooled in a family of 11, I learned early that sometimes a little background noise helps you focus. But not all “buzz” is created equal. The buzz at Barista Alley — it works for me. There’s an energy here that helps me lock in, especially if I’m upstairs.

The staff is another highlight. Everyone is friendly, quick with a smile, and genuinely seems to enjoy being there. That makes a difference.

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Accessibility and Parking

Barista Alley doesn’t have its own parking lot, but street parking is usually available within a short walk — and that walk takes you through the heart of Greer, so it’s really part of the charm.

One limitation to be aware of: no elevator access to the second floor. If you’re navigating with a stroller or mobility aid, the upstairs might be off-limits — and while the first floor is cozy, it doesn’t quite match the light and space of the upper level.

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Menu

The coffee is great. The pour-overs here are arguably not as consistent as Tandem, but that’s because they are doing everything manually. Barista also roasts and serves their own beans and that adds a level of personality to every drink they serve. Remember how I said that Methodical had some serious competition in the roasting game? Well here is a major part of it. It’s really a matter of preference which beans you prefer most, but both are fantastic.

They also have a good assortment of teas and non-coffee drinks that are nothing to write home about but are still really solid.

But one thing that is worth writing about is their seasonal drinks. This, for me, is where Barista Alley steps out on its own. A lot of coffee shops have seasonal options but few if any do it as well as they do. It’s clever and interesting combinations of flavor that really give you a reason to come back. (I’m actually sipping on their seasonal Graham cracker latte as I write this.)

As to the food, they have multiple great menu items along with your standard array of pastries, plus periodically rolling in with some impressive-looking homemade cakes and cookies. They have Crepes, both savory and sweet, sandwiches (I love the Alley), Toast, Acai bowls, smoothies, etc. It’s a tight menu that is creative and tasty.

Recommended order:

My go-to is either the Alley Sandwich or the Breakfast Crepe with Chicken paired with a seasonal drink.

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Final Word

Barista Alley delivers. Whether you’re looking for your next go-to work spot, a creative seasonal latte, or just a comfy place to hang out in downtown Greer — this place has what you’re looking for.

If you haven’t been, go.

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🌳 Let’s Talk Japanese Maples 🌳

I love Japanese Maples. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) have been cultivated in Japan for centuries, dating back at least to the 7th century They are native to Japan, Korea, China, and parts of Russia, but Japan is where they were most carefully bred and appreciated as ornamental trees. (An ornamental tree is a tree grown primarily for its visual appeal—such as flowers, foliage, shape, or bark—rather than for fruit, shade, or timber.) Over generations, Japanese gardeners developed hundreds of unique cultivars*, selecting for leaf shape, color, size, and growth habit. Japanese maples are small trees with thin branches and distinct, hand-shaped leaves. Some varieties have smooth, broad leaves, while others have finely divided, lace-like ones.

Their leaves are green or red in the spring and summer and turn bright red, orange, or yellow in the fall. The branches often grow in layers, giving the tree a natural, flowing shape. Some Japanese maples grow upright, while others have a weeping form that hangs toward the ground. These trees are commonly used in landscaping because they stay small and add year-round interest. These trees became a key part of traditional Japanese gardens, often planted near temples, paths, and water features to create a peaceful, reflective atmosphere. The name “Japanese maple” comes from this long cultural connection and the tree’s scientific classification. While they now grow all over the world, their roots — both botanical and cultural — are very much Japanese.

*a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding

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So how did they end up in Upstate South Carolina?

Japanese maples likely made their way to South Carolina, and the rest of the United States, through plant trade and botanical interest in the late 1800s and early 1900s. As American gardeners and landscapers became more interested in ornamental plants from around the world, Japanese maples gained popularity for their unique shape, striking fall color, and manageable size. They were introduced through nurseries and botanical gardens, then spread more widely as people began incorporating them into home landscapes. In South Carolina, their ability to tolerate our mixed sun and shade conditions — along with their beauty and relatively low maintenance — made them a favorite in both formal gardens and residential yards. Today, they’re a common sight across the Upstate, especially in well-tended yards and older neighborhoods with mature trees.

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But beauty comes at a price.

A healthy 6-foot Japanese Maple can easily run you $300 or more — and rare cultivars can cost double that. That means two things:

1. You’re not planting one every weekend.

2. If you have one — you’ll want to take care of it.

 

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Japanese Maples vs Bradford Pears

Do you know another tree that you will commonly find used in landscaping? Bradford Pears.

Let’s get one thing clear: we love Japanese Maples. We do not love Bradford Pears.

Bradford Pears are fast-growing, brittle, invasive, and messy. They bloom fast — and fall apart faster. Japanese Maples, on the other hand, are slow and steady, compact, and elegant. There is no competition…

Japanese Maples > Bradford Pears

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But here’s the rub: pruning Japanese Maples can be tricky and if you get it wrong you can kill the tree.

We’ve seen it happen too often. It’s also worth noting that even if you don’t kill it you can spoil their growth patterns and make them look silly. A bad prune can negate 20 years of slow, deliberate branching. So when in doubt, don’t! These trees do best left alone, or very carefully pruned by professionals.

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Prune for Structure — Not Control

Here’s the golden rule: let the tree be the tree.

Prune out deadwood, but don’t try to force symmetry. These trees are meant to be a little wild. That’s their charm. Good pruning is about revealing the tree’s structure — not rewriting it.

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Need a Hand? We’ve Got You.

At Dill Tree Care, we’re big fans of Japanese Maples. If you’ve got a maple that’s been over-pruned or might need some help looking its best, give us a call. We specialize in naturalistic, restorative pruning — the kind that brings out the best in your tree without compromising its form. We can put you on rotation and come back every year to make sure your tree stays healthy.

We’ll swing by for a free assessment, offer honest feedback, and let you know exactly what we think your tree needs — and just as importantly, what it doesn’t.

Whether you’re in Greer, Greenville, or anywhere in the Upstate, we’re here to help.
👉 Click here to request your free tree assessment

Because when it comes to trees — just like with coffee — the best results come from patience, skill, and a little extra care.

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— Zac Johnson
Dill Tree Care