MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - If you ordered one or more trees through the Plant a Bigger Tree for Tennessee program, this Monday (10/26/2026) is the day to collect your order. Tree distribution will take place at the small barn next to Middle Tennessee State University's Tennessee Livestock Center, located at 1720 Greenland Drive. Pickup hours are from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m., and organizers say the event will be held rain or shine.
Officials with Plant a Bigger Tree told WGNS News that volunteers may begin reaching out by phone or text if it gets close to 5:30PM and customers have not yet arrived. The reminder is intended to help ensure purchased trees are picked up before the distribution event ends.
Those who cannot make it Monday afternoon don't have to miss out. Organizers say a friend or family member may pick up the trees on your behalf if they bring a copy of the receipt.
Once trees are picked up, participants are encouraged to plant them as soon as possible. During transport, roots should be kept moist and covered, and trees should not be left sitting in direct sunlight or inside a hot vehicle.
For those who cannot immediately plant their trees, experts recommend keeping them in their containers and placing them outdoors in a shaded or partially shaded location. The root ball should be watered regularly to remain moist, but not waterlogged, and the young trees should be protected from extreme heat and drying winds. Even so, organizers emphasize that trees perform best when they are placed in the ground as quickly as possible.
Before digging a hole in which to plant your new tree, residents are reminded to call 811 to have underground utility lines marked. The free service helps prevent accidental damage to buried utility infrastructure and improves safety during planting projects.
Organizers say every tree planted contributes to cleaner air, greener spaces, and a healthier future for Tennessee. They also thank participants for supporting Green Interchange's ongoing mission to improve the state's environment one tree at a time.
The pickup site will remain open Monday afternoon from 2:00 until 6:00PM regardless of weather conditions, so participants are encouraged to stop by and bring home their new trees. If you cannot find the pickup location, phone Callahan Marsh at (800) 839-8189.
