Crossville Celebrates The Importance of Trees At Arbor Day Event

Crossville’s Arbor Day comes Friday, but the traditional tree celebration will be at a new location.

This year’s event moves from Centennial Park to the Cumberland County Community Complex at Livingston Road. Tree Board Chair Janet Dowlen said the board wanted to avoid weather cancellations that past events experienced.

“We’re going to have great weather which is a change from usual years, but we wanted to try to have an area that was covered to accommodate people,” Dowlen said.

Dowlen said Arbor Day encourages new tree plantings and recognizes Crossville’s distinction as a Tree City USA. Dowlen said the event begins with a tree giveaway that begins at 9 a.m.

“We will have seedlings from the state nursery,” Dowlen said. “We will also have potted trees this year which is a change too, because we feel like some people will not have the ability to plant just right away.”

Thanks to the covered complex, vendors will be selling their wares for the first time, Dowlen said. The event also focuses on tree maintenance, planting tips and environmental impacts.

“We have got a lot of retired folks here, and I think they may have a greater appreciation for some of the trees in their past or in their yards over their lives,” Dowlen said. “Maybe they want to try and plant those for their children and future generations. I think we all need areas where we can and enjoy parks and have something like that in your yard.”