Deadline to Reserve Trees for TN Tree Day is Sunday

TENNESSEE (February 17) - All 95 Tennessee counties are joining in the eighth-annual Tennessee Tree Day on March 19. The day is the largest community tree-planting project of its kind according to the Tennessee Environmental Council.

Tennessee State House of Representatives unanimously approved HJR0712, the “Tennessee Tree Day Resolution” declaring March 19, 2022, as Tennessee Tree Day. The resolution advanced February 16 through the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.

As of February 17, more than 65,000 trees have been reserved by Tennessee residents for planting on the weekend of March 19. Most community pick-up locations have trees remaining, but supplies are limited and are going fast.

All participants are reminded to call 811 two weeks before digging any holes to avoid hitting any underground utility lines.

Last year 62,860 trees were planted, and this year’s goal is to plant 75,000 trees. The deadline to order bare-root tree seedlings is Sunday, February 27, for those who want to join in. Orders can be made online and a donation starting at $1.99 each is requested to receive a seedling.

Available trees include bald cypress, red mulberry, and shellbark hickory. The seedlings range in size from 1- to 4-feet depending on the species. Find pickup locations across the state - visit www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.

Since 2007, Tennessee Environmental Council has brought together 60,000 Tennessee residents in planting 741,960 native trees in Tennessee and surrounding states for Tennessee Tree Day. In 2021, trees were planted in 128 counties across 10 states including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia.

The Tennessee Environmental Council says the planted trees will improve the environment by reducing air pollution and enhancing the state’s tree canopy. The trees will replace those lost to development, tornados, help to repair degraded streams and improve water quality, and increase habitat for wildlife and pollinators, according to the TEC.