Annual Arbor Day and Tree City USA celebration

What: Annual Arbor Day and Tree City USA celebrations
Where: John Sevier Grove (behind Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary Wade Boulevard)
When: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 3:30 p.m.

The annual City of Sevierville Arbor Day and Tree City USA celebrations are scheduled for Thursday, April 25. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the John Sevier Grove (behind the Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary Wade Boulevard).

This will be the fortieth consecutive year that Sevierville has been recognized as a Tree City USA. Ashley Kite-Rowland with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture will present the City of Sevierville Tree City USA award. Through the work of Holly Jones-Grants Specialist with the City, the John Sevier Grove and the City Disc Golf Course received fifty trees this year; that project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee. Sevierville has been a Tree City since 1984, marking the third longest consecutive award in Tennessee. The Sevier County Electric System will also receive a Tree Line USA Award for 2023. Sevierville is the 3rd longest City to be named and continue as a Tree City in Tennessee, following Norris and Athens.

Sevierville Mayor Robbie Fox will present a proclamation and remarks. A Tree donated by the Sevier County Electric System will be planted by 4-H. Parks and recreation Director Bob Parker will present a brief history of the City being a Tree City USA for 40 consecutive years.

A highlight of the event will be reading the names of individuals who received a memorial or honorary tree since Arbor Day 2023. This reading is a longstanding tradition of Sevierville's annual event. Since the tree planting program began in 1985, over five-hundred trees have been planted and funded through private donations honoring an individual or memorializing someone that has passed on.

A brief reception will follow the event.

The City of Sevierville Trees Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (which also acts as the Tree Board) continues to make efforts to improve urban tree care and benefits to the citizens of Sevierville. For additional information on the board and the tree program, please visit www.seviervilleparksandrec.com.