Clover Bottom to become a Certified Arboretum
By Jennifer Smith, Horticulturist and Certified Arborist with Metro Water Services, Stormwater Division
Tennessee is blessed with a tree canopy, in both rural and urban landscapes, that is made up of almost 200 different tree species, more than most other states! Spring greets us with the blooms of understory trees; favorites include dogwoods, redbuds, serviceberry, hawthorn, and native pears and plums. In the fall we are inspired by the colorful tapestry of leaves, with shades of reds, oranges, and purples. Evergreen trees such as magnolias, holly, cedar, and pine, highlight our winter landscape.
One tree that quickly comes to mind in our forests are the mighty oaks. With 20 native oaks in our state, it is no wonder they dominate from the flat, alluvial plains in West Tennessee to the Smoky Mountains in the east. Other large trees are the tulip poplar which is our state tree, hickories, beech, maples, and beautiful sycamores with their contrasting white bark.
The Clover Bottom Mansion sits on an approximately 42-acre preserve. Since 1994, it has housed the Tennessee Historical Commission office. Having once served as pasture, the gently rolling land is a destination for the community with its walking trail. It is a beautiful setting, but much of the trail is in full sun and can be hot in the summer.
This is where the Metro Nashville Tree Bank program enters the story. Tree Bank funds are dedicated to tree planting on government property with the goal of increasing Nashville’s overall tree canopy. The program is operated by the Stormwater Division of Nashville’s Metro Water Services. Seeing the opportunity for this planting to become an arboretum, Horticulturist Jennifer Smith with Stormwater met with the Historical Commission staff, who were all in favor of the tree planting and the future educational component.
How does a group of trees become an arboretum?
Since 1991, the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) has been a voice for our urban trees. The Council strives to expand the public’s awareness of the role trees and forests play in the urban environment by hosting a Certified Arboretum program. Their work complements the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry’s work by bringing together urban foresters, arborists, community leaders, educators, gardeners, landscape designers and architects, and concerned citizens.
There are four arboretum certification levels and the goal for Clover Bottom is to reach a Level 2 status, with over 60 different tree species on the property. During the past planting season, 20 species of trees were planted through Metro Nashville’s Tree Bank, with another planting happening in the upcoming planting season. Afterwards, the trees will be labeled and the TUFC’s Arboretum Certification Application will be submitted. A TUFC committee will make a site visit as part of the process to becoming a certified arboretum.
Clover Bottom farm has had many uses in its near 250-year history, its tree legacy is the next. Future generations will enjoy walking in the shade of the tree trail while learning about a diverse tree canopy and the differences trees are making in the community.