Volunteers to plant trees on ReLeafing Day November 18 in two urban neighborhoods

Tree Foundation volunteers will plant powerline-approved trees in two urban neighborhoods November 18, the fifth annual ReLeafing Day.

Trees that can co-exist with powerlines and not require pruning to reduce height will be planted in the Sylvan Heights area from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and in Germantown from 10 a.m. to noon, said Betty Brown, Foundation president.

"This is a continuation of the innovative and successful 2005 demonstration planting project when 142 powerline-approved trees were added to the urban landscape at three different sites," Brown said.

Volunteers will meet at Park Avenue Enhanced Option School, 3703 Park Avenue, at 8:30 a.m. for planting assignments for about 35 powerline-approved trees and 30 other trees and shrubs at the school, by the community garden, and two gateways into the neighborhood.

Assignments for planting more than 30 powerline-approved trees in the Germantown neighborhood will be distributed at 10 a.m. from the tent located on the corner of Fifth Avenue North and Monroe Street, Brown said.

Members of the Metro Tree Advisory Committee will be at both locations to supervise and assist in proper planting methods.

Also being planted on ReLeafing Day is the Magdeburg Oak, a Northern Red Oak given to Germantown from its sister city in Germany. It will be planted on the portion of the Magdeburg Greenway that runs through Morgan Park, 411 Hume Street.

ReLeafing Day is a joint project of the Foundation, Metro Tree Advisory Committee, Metro Beautification and Environment Commission, Nashville Electric Service, Sylvan Heights and Historic Germantown Neighborhood Associations.

ReLeafing Day evolved out of the Foundation's highly successful, award-winning ReLeaf Nashville project that planted 6,757 shade trees from 1998-2001 to replace some of the 20,000 felled by tornadoes April 16, 1998.

"We listened to our volunteers who wanted to continue planting trees on the Saturday before Thanksgiving," Brown said. "On the first four ReLeafing Days, they have planted 774 trees in MDHA's Hope VI homes, in neighborhoods, and under powerlines."

To volunteer to plant on ReLeafing Day November 18 or for more information, contact Libby Cheek at 615-292-5175 or by e-mail at nashvilletree@earthlink.net