Our Story

Tennessee’s Homecoming ‘86 Celebration inspired the creation of a permanent tree foundation after the successful planting of 1,986 trees across Davidson County. Nashville Tree Foundation was officially chartered on May 16, 1986. Founding officers included Betty Brown (President), Joan Armour (Secretary), Justin Wilson (Treasurer), and board members Alice Ann Barge, Ann Thomason, and Eleanor Willis.

The inaugural Big Old Tree Contest was held, celebrating Nashville’s first Champion Trees—recognizing trees that have stood tall throughout Nashville’s history. Since then, Champion Tree status has been awarded to nearly a thousand trees citywide.

In response to a devastating spring tornado, the board of directors launched the ReLeaf Nashville initiative, partnering with Metro services to restore the city’s canopy loss. The project raised $1 million within six months and led to the planting of over 6,000 trees over three years.

In honor of the success of ReLeaf Nashville, the ReLeaf Nashville Plaza was established in Centennial Park. This commemorative plaza was later listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

ReLeaf Nashville transformed into an annual planting event, now celebrated as ReLeafing Day on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This event carries on the legacy of the original ReLeaf project, fostering community service and tree planting.

In the summer of 2015, Nashville Tree Foundation opened the Betty Brown Tree Trail and Arboretum, located in the newly developed Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. Named after founding board member and first president Betty Moorhead Brown (1939-2011), it became Nashville’s first downtown arboretum.

The Foundation hosted its first tree giveaways at the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival and Richland Park Farmers Market, distributing 1,100 container-grown trees to community members.

Tree Fest was launched, dedicating a full month to tree giveaways at farmers markets and community events across Nashville, increasing community engagement in tree planting.

Educational programs were introduced in Metro Nashville Public Schools, allowing over 700 students to participate in hands-on outdoor education and learn about the importance of trees.