The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. recently announced the certification of the Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum in Sevierville. An arboretum is an area containing many different species of trees for the purpose of education and/or research. According to Kay Fermann, Assistant Urban Forester with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, the certification program “is an excellent way to recognize the educational and research efforts of arboreta as well as their environmental contributions to their respective communities, and provide unique opportunities for children and adults to observe the distinctive qualities of trees.” Arboreta must meet strict standards in order to become listed as a Tennessee certified arboretum. Among these standards are: the site must be open to the public, the trees must be properly labeled for public educational purposes, and the trees must be properly maintained over the certification period. The certifications are good for five years. There are only a total of twenty-one certified arboreta across the State.
Also, the National Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Sevierville a “Tree City U.S.A.” for the nineteenth year. “Tree City U.S.A. recognition is a symbol of how important trees are in our community,” Mayor Bryan Atchley said. The city will conduct an Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, March 28, 1:00 p.m. at Burchfiel Grove and Arboretum, located on the west side of the Memorial River Greenway. Parking for the celebration is available at the Greenway parking area, just off West Main Street on Hardin Lane.
Bob Parker, Director of Parks and Recreation and Tree Board Chairman, is especially proud of the city’s long term commitment to the Tree City U.S.A. program. “Receiving national recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for nineteen consecutive years has been very gratifying.  I cannot thank our community enough for their support of this beautification effort,” said Parker.
For additional information, please contact Bob Parker at 453-5441.

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