Unanimous support declares March 16th, 2024 as “Tennessee Tree Day”, calls on Tennesseans to reserve and plant trees
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the “Tennessee Tree Day Resolution,” (HJR0712) last week, declaring March 16, 2024 as “Tennessee Tree Day.” The joint resolution was introduced in the State House by Representative Bob Freeman (District 56) and passed the House and Senate unanimously yesterday evening. The resolution now moves to Governor Bill Lee’s office.
Tennessee residents are encouraged to reserve trees to plant at their homes and farms by visiting the Tennessee Tree Day website: tectn.org/tennesseetreeday. Online reservations are available until March 4, while supplies last. There are more than 160 volunteer-run community tree-pick-up locations across the state where participants will be able to pick up the trees they have reserved.
The joint resolution, which passed unanimously in both chambers, includes a call to action for Tennessee residents to participate in Tennessee Tree Day:
“Be it therefore resolved, the Tennessee General Assembly declares Saturday March 16, 2024 as ‘Tennessee Tree Day’ during which Tennessee residents are encouraged to plant trees in their communities. Tennessee Environmental Council is recognized as the lead organization orchestrating this effort, and will continue offering tree seedlings, educational information and coordination as community support, resources and capacity allow.”
As of today, more than 6,000 Tennessee residents and organizations have reserved 81,000 native trees to plant across Tennessee on Tree Day 2024. All participants are reminded to call 811 before digging, to avoid hitting any underground utility lines. Tennessee Tree Day is organized every year by Tennessee Environmental Council, a non-profit organization founded in 1970. This is the 10th annual statewide Tree Day event. This March will mark the one-millionth tree planted by the organization and volunteers statewide.
