Arbor Day

Cheekwood’s nationally accredited Arboretum is the perfect setting to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of trees. In honor of Tennessee’s beloved native tree species, the dogwood, the first 500 visitors to our Arbor Day celebration can take home a dogwood tree sapling to plant. Visit our reading table featuring books about trees, play tree trivia, and get a close-up view of dogwood flowers via microscope.

This year, Cheekwood’s Arbor Day celebration is happening in tandem with our Dogs & Dogwoods event. Guests can bring their four-legged best friends to Cheekwood all weekend long on April 26 & 27!

Schedule of Events

9 AM | Arboretum Lawn
Free tree saplings for the first 500 people.

9 AM – 3 PM | Cheekwood Resource Table | Arboretum Lawn
Branch out and expand your knowledge! Cheekwood offers numerous resources for both in-person and online learning. Visit the resource table to get a sneak peek of The Cheekwood Gardening School summer class lineup and discover hidden gems on the Cheekwood website.

9:30 AM – 3 PM | Food Vendors | Lot B
Enjoy an array of food truck vendors crafted from nature’s finest ingredients. Experience refreshing fruit-infused flavors along with your hearty, savory favorites!

10 AM | Bradford Robertson Color Garden Entrance
Arboretum Tour with Vice President of Garden & Facilities, Peter Grimaldi.

10 AM – 12 PM | Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
TOTS! Tree Craft & Storytime

10 AM – 3 PM | Reading Table | Arboretum Lawn
Explore a captivating selection of tree-inspired books for readers of all ages.

10 AM – 3 PM | Tree Trivia | Arboretum Lawn
Expand your knowledge with trivia about trees at Cheekwood and learn how to identify different tree types based on their leaves and where to discover them in the garden.

11 AM – 12 PM | Charles Brindley: Creative Process and a Celebration of Arbor Day | Massey Auditorium in Botanic Hall
Noted Nashville-based artist Charles Brindley will discuss creativity in everyday life and art. In celebration of Arbor Day, the artist will provide a special discussion on trees and the unique woodland pasture landscape of the Nashville Basin and Kentucky Bluegrass.

11 AM | Forest Bathing | Frist Learning Center Events Lawn
Learn about the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku. Hear from Sarah Champion, certified Forest Bathing guide, as she breaks down how the process works and what the benefits are.

1 PM | Charles Brindley: The Old Tree Drawing | Massey Auditorium in Botanic Hall
Charles Brindley will illustrate many aspects of drawing and painting trees. The discussion portion of this workshop will be followed by time spent drawing in the surrounding Cheekwood landscape.

All skill levels are welcome to attend. Participants should bring drawing materials and a limited amount will be available for use.