TEC Launches Statewide Initiative To Offer Native Trees For All Residents

  • Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Residents across Tennessee are invited to reserve native trees to plant at their homes, farms and in their communities during the 11th annual Tennessee Tree Day event, taking place on March 15.

Online tree reservations are open to the public at tectn.org/TennesseeTreeDay now through March 2, and residents are encouraged to reserve trees as soon as possible to get the best selection. Supplies are limited and trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

Participants may choose from among 165 locations across Tennessee to pick up their trees on the weekend of March 15.
Tree Day is organized every year by Tennessee Environmental Council, a non-profit organization.

Participants must register online to reserve trees, and will choose their pick-up location, dates and times when they register. A small donation is requested for every tree reserved. Scholarships are available for participants who cannot afford to make a donation. There are more than a dozen native trees available, including flowering dogwood, eastern redbud, wild plum, elderberry, pecan, white oak and more. All trees must be reserved online - and must be picked up on the dates published on the website.

"Planting native trees with friends and family for Tennessee Tree Day is a meaningful and rewarding activity that brings people together every year, and helps our environment and communities in many ways," said Heather Slayton, Tennessee state forester. "Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is honored to play an important role in this statewide event every year, by providing thousands of high-quality seedlings from our East Tennessee Nursery."

UT Extension offices across Tennessee serve as local tree pick-up locations every year. Extension agents are available on-site to provide expert advice to the public on how to select the 'right tree for the right place' and answer other questions about the trees.

"UT Extension is very happy to partner with TEC in distributing thousands of trees to be simultaneously planted throughout the Volunteer state,” said Dr. David Mercker, extension forester with UT Extension.

Every year Tree Day involves thousands of volunteers who plant their trees at their own homes, farms, businesses, neighborhoods and other locations of their choosing. Since 2007, more than 100,000 volunteers have planted over one million trees across Tennessee, fulfilling TEC’s mission to help people and communities improve our environment. officials said.

“Even though we’ve planted our first million, we’re not stopping here, because every year presents a new opportunity to replenish our vital tree canopy," said Jeffrey Barrie, CEO of Tennessee Environmental Council.

Tennessee Tree Day is made possible by support from numerous partners and sponsors, including Tennessee Division of Forestry, Atmos Energy, National Wildlife Federation, UT Extension, Tractor Supply Company Foundation, LKQ Foundation, Nissan, LP Foundation, TVA and many others.

Visit the event website for more information and to reserve trees.
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