Shelby Avenue Planting

Thanks to our volunteers for digging in!

Two AmeriCorps volunteers are shovel-ready for planting along South 13th Street..

Nashville showed its volunteer spirit once again on Saturday when more than 150 volunteers turned out for the latest round of tree-planting on the Shelby Avenue Arboretum.

Blessed with a crisp, sunny January day, the volunteers planted 180 trees on Shelby Avenue and adjoining South 13th Street. Special thanks go to Americorps and The Turnip Truck, which contributed volunteers to the effort, and to Nashscapes and Bartlett Tree Experts’ Nashville office for sharing their professional expertise and planting tips.

Cleanup efforts continued this week along the newly planted areas, as mulch and tree diapers are added, grass seed is planted and dirt is removed from sidewalks.

A flurry of orange-vested volunteers labored under bright blue skies along Shelby Avenue.

A new vision for Shelby Avenue

The arboretum was conceived and developed by the Nashville Tree Conservations Corps to beautify one of the city’s most historic thoroughfares. Under the planting plan created by Ashworth Environmental Design, the 2.5 mile Shelby Avenue Arboretum will be one of the longest in the state, with tree varieties ranging from large canopy trees to smaller Redbuds planted under utility wires. To date, approximately 560 trees have been planted.

A million thanks to all who joined the weekend effort to build Nashville’s tree canopy and transform Shelby Avenue into a tree-lined corridor for future generations!

A truckload of trees is prepared for delivery to the arboretum.

The Nashville skyline serves as the backdrop for Shelby Avenue’s newly tree-lined sidewalks.