Annual Arbor Day Event Moved to Civic Center

Posted 05-05-22.

The City of Sevierville Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that due to predicted rain and possible severe storms on Friday, the Arbor Day Event will be moved to the Sevierville Civic Center at the Municipal Campus.

This will be the 37th consecutive year that Sevierville has been recognized as a Tree City USA. Diane Warwick with the Tennessee Division of Forestry will present the City of Sevierville Tree City USA award. Sevierville has been a Tree City since 1984, marking the third longest consecutive award in Tennessee. The Sevier County Electric System will receive a Tree Line USA Award.

The City will also announce the start of a new, refreshed tree program. Since 1985, the City has provided a Memorial Tree Program. In recent years, many people have chosen to not only plant a tree in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away, but also in honor of family, friends and even as a reminder of visiting our area. City Staff felt an expanded approach to the tree program was needed. With this in mind, the new Forever Tree Program will be formally introduced at this event.

The highlight of the event will be reading the names of individuals who received a memorial or honorary tree since Arbor Day 2021. 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/Trails and Beautification 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.

The Tree City USA program is a national program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. Participating communities have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees. Together the more than 3,400 Tree City USA communities serve as home to more than 135 million Americans. For additional information on the Tree City USA program or the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.