Reservations for Tennessee Tree Day open through March 8
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Recent natural disasters have wiped out massive amounts of Tennessee’s tree canopy, and residents are being encouraged to participate in efforts to replant some of that lost tree canopy. A statewide community tree-planting event known as Tennessee Tree Day is coming up on March 21st. The public may reserve native trees to plant using an online tree reservation website now through March 8th, 2026 on a first-come, first served basis, for a small donation per tree. Supplies are limited so residents are encouraged to reserve their trees as soon as possible.
Visit tectn.org/tennesseetreeday to reserve trees.
TN Tree Day is organized by Tennessee Environmental Council, a statewide non-profit organization. Organizers have set up 174 local tree-pick-up sites in all 95 counties with a goal of planting 85,000 native trees across Tennessee on March 21st (but trees must be reserved online no later than March 8th).
“This year we are placing an emphasis on communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene in 2024 and Winter Storm Fern earlier this year,” says Jeffrey Barrie, CEO of Tennessee Environmental Council. “We are making it as convenient as possible for residents to participate and plant a variety of native trees at their homes and farms, especially in areas hit hardest by these devastating weather events,” says Barrie.
Tree Day offers 11 native tree species for the public to choose from. Species include redbud, elderberry, river birch, pecan, oak and more. Many pick-up locations are hosted by UT Extension offices, State Parks and rural electric cooperatives.
“In the past two years, Tennessee has experienced devastating losses to its urban and rural tree canopies,” says Heather Slayton, Tennessee State Forester. “Events like Tree Day give everyone a chance to help restore some of that tree canopy, supporting the significant ecological, social, economic and health benefits that trees provide,” says Slayton.
In order to secure trees to plant in this year’s event, interested residents must visit www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday no later than March 8, 2026. Once reserved online, trees for registered participants will be available for picking up at local pick-up sites on March 20th and 21st for planting that weekend.
Every year this event involves thousands of participants who plant trees at their homes, farms, businesses, neighborhoods and other locations of their choosing. Since 2007, more than 150,000 volunteers have planted over 1,100,000 native trees across Tennessee through this initiative, fulfilling Tennessee Environmental Council’s mission to help people and communities improve our environment for all.
Tennessee Tree Day is made possible by support from numerous partners and sponsors, including Atmos Energy, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Arbor Day Foundation, UT Extension, Tennessee Department of Agriculture–Division of Forestry, Tractor Supply Company Foundation, TVA, LKQ Foundation, Nissan, Sharing Change, Ancient Nutrition, Memorial Foundation, and numerous others.
Visit the event website for more information and to reserve trees: tectn.org/TennesseeTreeDay.
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