Murfreesboro, TN — As November peeks around the corner and the holiday season draws near, a familiar tradition in Rutherford County is getting a noticeable makeover. The Leyland Cypress tree, planted in October 2018 by former County Mayor Bill Ketron, will no longer anchor the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the square. In its place, a towering three-story artificial tree is being readied to take center stage on Friday evening, December 5, 2025.

WGNS News tried reaching current County Mayor Joe Carr for comment on the tree’s removal but was unable to connect.

Commissioner Craig Harris, however, confirmed the change, saying, “I was told that the Cypress tree was dying, and they didn’t believe it could come back. They are replacing it with an artificial tree.”

On Friday afternoon, WGNS visited the northeast lawn of the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse and observed active work in the grassy area. At that point, the County had not made any public statements about removing the Leyland Cypress tree. Photos were taken and shown to a professional horticulturalist, who remarked, “I see no Leyland Cypress in the photos, so I’m assuming it’s gone.”

Former Mayor Ketron, upon seeing the images, responded with a simple but heartfelt, “You’re right—so sad!”

Commissioner Pettus Read shared his own reflections, admitting he hadn’t been informed of the change but understood the reasoning. “I’ve noticed for a couple of years that the evergreen has become thin in its needle production.”

After receiving a call from Commissioner Harris, Read consulted with Maintenance Director Adam Dodd, who had previously sought arborist advice when the Sycamore tree was removed from the courthouse’s southeast side.

The verdict from the arborist was clear: there was no viable way to restore the Leyland Cypress to health. The tree, which had stood as a living symbol of holiday cheer for seven years, was ultimately removed.

“The tree is cut down, a concrete slab poured, and the artificial tree ordered,” Harris confirmed.

In closing, Commissioner Read noted that after discussions with those involved in the annual lighting event, the decision was made to follow the lead of neighboring cities like Smyrna and Columbia. “It will be a three-story tall artificial tree and an impressive site in front of our courthouse.”

So, as Murfreesboro prepares to welcome the season, the square will sparkle with a new kind of tree—one that may not grow but will certainly glow.