Nashville's Christmas Tree Quest: City Seeks Spruce

NASHVILLE, TN — Got a big Norway spruce in the yard and just don't know what to do with it? Ever thought it might make a stellar civic symbol for the festive period?

Metro Parks started the search early this year for the perfect tree to serve as the centerpiece for the city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Public Square Park. Metro Parks’ Horticulturalist Randall Lantz wants to start the search early this year to avoid a last-minute crunch, so common during the holidays.

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"We’re always on such a very tight deadline to find the right tree. People always think we have trees in reserve and we don’t. We are always wondering where our tree is coming from and this year we want to take the drama, to the extent that we can, out of finding the right tree," Lantz said. "We don’t necessarily want to cut down the best tree. We’re looking for a specific tree in a specific circumstance. We want a tree that has outgrown its location or is a hazard to a power line, something like that. People always think they have a great tree and it is a great tree for their environment but not necessarily for us. That’s why we need to look at as many as we can.” s

The Parks Department is looking for a 30 to 40-foot Norway Spruce that looks good from all angles.

“We want a tree from that has grown too big for its location. We know it’s out there, but we need the public to help us find it. The tree must be located in Davidson or a bordering county that has service from Nashville Electric Service since they are our partners in installing the tree,” Lantz said.

The Parks Department will cut down the tree, remove the stump and plant a replacement tree, if needed. If you have a tree or know of one that meets the criteria, call Lantz at 862-8400 or email him at Randall.Lantz@nashville.gov. Make sure you leave a street location.

Photo via Metro Parks