Local Tree Politics: Three-Minute Read

With reporting help from Rita Bullinger

For Nashville Tree Conservation Corps

October 24, 2019

Now that the sawdust has settled in the NFL/Cherry Tree controversy, we decided it was time to check up on the ten trees that were chopped down or moved to new locations to accommodate the temporary stage for the NFL draft. You’ll remember that initial plans were to chop down nearly 20 trees, but after public outcry that number was quickly reduced to ten.

The ten trees were removed, roots and all, with a tree spade and transplanted into other tree pits further up First Avenue but still in Riverfront Park, says Randall Lantz, head of the Metro Landscape Group, a branch of Metro Parks Department. Some people report seeing trees being cut down, but Lantz says those were already-dead, non-NFL-affected trees, and their spots were used to help accommodate the 10 re-located cherry trees.

“There were seven empty pits where (dead) trees had previously been removed and had not been replaced, and we cut down three dead trees that needed to be removed – and that made the perfect amount of space to relocate all 10 trees,”Lantz said.

There was concern that moving the trees in such hot weather would cause them to die, but Lantz says they’re doing as well as can be expected.

“The trees are all alive and except for maybe two are in good shape. The two that are not in good shape were not in good shape to begin with and they have not improved.  My crews watered the trees up to three times per week, especially during that last hot, dry spell we have endured.”

The 10 additional, new trees that were placed in the original spots after the NFL stage was removed are doing well, Lantz says. He expects them to flower normally this spring.

Jim Gregory, chairman of the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps, says he’s been out to look at the trees and agrees that Lantz and his team are doing a good job taking care of them.

“So far, so good,” Gregory said. "We've been carefully monitoring this. ... But they will have to remain vigilant for the next two to three years as the trees settle into their new homes.”

The NFL and the Nashville Convention and Visitors’ Corporation paid for the relocation of the trees and for the replacement trees ($650 apiece)  -- as well as another 200 new trees for spots outside of downtown. 

As for the 200 additional trees, Lantz says they’ve already been purchased and paid for by the NCVC. They’ll be delivered in December for planting, after the landscape has had time to re-hydrate after the bad fall drought. 

“Several groups and a few council members are asking where the [200] trees will be planted,” Lantz said. “I’m going to make this determination myself. And I’m very competent to do this. They may go into one of the many parks in the county, maybe Parker Park which is being developed near Jefferson Street.” 

We at the Corps will let you know when and where those trees are planted.