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Plant a tree this weekend...hugging is optional

tectn.org/250ktreeday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Environmentalists are closing in on their goal of planting 250,000 trees across Tennessee this coming weekend.

The Tennessee Environmental Council has been hosting annual tree planting events for several years. This year’s 250K Tree Day is scheduled for Saturday.

Council President John McFadden says volunteers are being asked to plant trees on their own property and at pre-approved public sites as well.

“Right now we’ve got just under 24,000 volunteers signed up in all 95 counties across Tennessee, with about 216,000 trees committed. So we’re super excited about it.”

McFadden says the trees to be planted are all native to Tennessee and will vary by region. In West Tennessee, for example, they’ll be planting some Bald Cypress because they thrive in warm, moist environments. He says Short Leaf Pines will be planted statewide.

“There’s a big effort to try to restore the species. It’s been hit pretty hard by disease and some other factors so we’re putting out about – of the 250,000 we’ll give out 50,000 of those Short Leaf Pines.”

McFadden notes that trees raise property values and help prevent flooding and erosion by stabilizing the soil. He says they also can support better health.

“Communities that have more trees have less childhood asthma, less lung disease, fewer heart attacks, and that’s because trees filter out the pollutants from the air.”

Learn how you might help by browsing by tectn.org.