By Chris Hicks, County Director – UT Extension Smith County
THOUSANDS OF TENNESSEE RESIDENTS TO PLANT NATIVE TREES ON TREE DAY: MARCH 20th. Statewide Volunteer Effort Enhances the Beauty and Ecology of Our State
Nashville, TN — Tennessee residents are invited to beautify their properties and their communities by planting trees on “Tennessee Tree Day,” March 20, 2021. The effort is organized every year by Tennessee Environmental Council, a non-profit organization based in Nashville. This event typically draws thousands of volunteers who plant tens of thousands of trees at their homes, farms, businesses, neighborhoods and other locations of their choosing.
Trees may be reserved at TEC’s website, www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday2021, now through March 7. Participants are asked to make a suggested donation of $1.99 for every tree they reserve for planting on March 20th.
“It takes a few minutes to plant a tree, and the benefits grow for generations,” says Jeffrey Barrie, CEO of Tennessee Environmental Council. “We seek participation from all 95 counties, and have set up a statewide tree-distribution network that makes it convenient for participants,” says Barrie.
The goal of this annual effort is to maintain a healthy tree canopy in communities across Tennessee. Native tree species available include: Bald Cypress, Eastern Redbud, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Pecan, Shortleaf Pine, Red Mulberry, Silky Dogwood, Tulip Poplar, Sweet Gum, Wild Plum and Buttonbush. All trees reserved must be picked up on the dates and locations published on the event website. There are 112 volunteer-operated tree pick-up locations across Tennessee. The event is supported by the Tennessee General Assembly every year.
Tennessee Environmental Council’s Tree Program was established in 2007 with a goal of planting one million native trees across the state by 2025 to increase the biological diversity of our state, and to help replace trees lost to development and other causes. Since then, volunteers have planted over 679,100 trees, fulfilling the mission of engaging individuals and communities to improve our environment and public health.
The Smith County Extension Office at 125 Gordonsville Hwy in Carthage will serve as a pickup location on March 19 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Give us a call at 615-735-2900 if you need more information.
