The Victor Johnson Award honors those who have a special reverence for trees.

The award is named for the retired president and chief executive officer of Aladdin Industries for his love of trees and the impact he has had on Nashville's landscape by setting the standard for developers.

2005— May Dean Eberling received the 2005 Victor Johnson Award for her commitment to volunteerism and for publicizing projects of the Tree Foundation.

Executive producer for NewsChannel5+, Eberling received the award, which honors Nashvillians who have a reverence for trees, at the April 22 Big Old Tree Contest celebration.

"The Nashville Tree Foundation has benefited greatly from the exposure May Dean gives to our projects -- especially ReLeaf Nashville and its successor ReLeafing Day on the Saturday before Thanksgiving," said Betty Brown, president of Nashville Tree Foundation. "In addition, she was one of the 35 volunteers who planted trees all four years for ReLeaf Nashville."

Jim Fyke, the 2003 winner who is commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, presented Eberling with a platter handmade from a beam rescued from the Union Station train shed.

2004— Randall Lantz, superintendent for horticulture for Metro Parks, received the Victor Johnson Award from the Nashville Tree Foundation at the High Tree Party April 30.
Foundation president Betty Brown said he was selected for his expertise and assistance with numerous Foundation projects, especially ReLeaf Nashville.

The award is presented annually to Nashvillians who have a reverence for trees.
Lantz received a desk box crafted from cherry wood salvaged from The Hermitage after the 1998 tornado. The 2003 recipient, deputy commissioner of the state’s Environment and Conservation Department James H. Fyke, made the presentation.

Fyke, who retired last year as director of Metro Parks and Recreation, praised Lantz for his dedication and hard work, noting that his experience included working for a non-profit and a private business before joining Metro Parks, a governmental agency in 1996.

Lantz’ contributions to the city and its parks can be seen every day all over the county through the trees and flowers planted under his direction and by him, Fyke said.

Lantz was with Tennessee Botanical Gardens at Cheekwood from 1972-8 and with the landscaping firm of Callicott and Associates from May 1989 to January 1996 when he joined Metro Parks.

Brown said his contributions to the Foundation’s ReLeaf Nashville project were “enormous.” He selected the trees and with staff and volunteers unloaded the trees from the nurseries, then supervised their delivery to the individual planting sites all four years of ReLeaf’s planting efforts. Under his direction, 3,600 trees provided by the Foundation were planted in Metro Parks damaged by the tornado.

The has been given since 1995 to an individual or organization with a special reverence for trees. The Victor Johnson Award, presented since 1995, honors the retired chair of Aladdin Industries. Johnson, the first recipient, is known for his love of trees and for the impact he has had on Nashville's landscape. Under his direction, the landscaping and beautiful plantings at Metro Center set the standard for developers. He was also the first donor to the Nashville Tree Foundation.

Previous winners include George H. Cate Jr., Armistead Barkley Inc., Mayor Phil Bredesen and Andre Conte, H.G. Hill Realty Company, Carl Pitchford, and Ann Chapman.

2003— James H. Fyke, retired director of Metro Parks and Recreation, was honored May 1 by the Nashville Tree Foundation for his love of trees and his support of the Foundation's projects over the years.

The Victor Johnson Award was presented to Fyke by Foundation President Betty Brown at the 16th annual High Tree Party, which was cut short by high winds and rain. He received a desk box, handmade from cherry wood salvaged from The Hermitage after the 1998 tornado.

Recently appointed deputy commissioner of Environment and Conservation Department for the State of Tennessee, Fyke received the Foundation's Victor Johnson Award which honors Nashvillians who have a reverence for trees. Fyke was with Metro Parks for 38 years.

Previous winners of the Victor Johnson Award are:

2002— George H. Cate Jr. received the 2002 Victor Johnson Award at the annual High Tree Party April 26 for his long time service as a conservationist, preservationist, and lover of trees.

The first chair of the Metropolitan Tree Board and an authority on bur oaks, Cate’s award was a combination magnifying glass/paper weight made from a limb of a 250-year-old burr oak on the Vanderbilt University campus.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University and its law school, Cate is a major advisor, encourager, and supporter of tree preservation concepts, said Betty Brown, president of Nashville Tree Foundation.

Cate’s interest in trees – particularly burr oaks – goes back to his childhood in East Nashville and the many hours spent hiking along the banks and fishing in the Cumberland River, the area now known as Shelby Bottoms Greenery. He has been instrumental in identifying the oldest and largest burr oaks in Davidson County as well as assuring that future generations enjoy his beloved tree by planting and encouraging others to plant it.

The award is named in honor of the retired president and chief executive officer of Aladdin Industries who is well known for his love of trees and for the impact he has had on Nashville’s landscape

2001— Armistead Barkley Inc., commercial real estate company currently involved in developing The Gulch, for saving the large magnolia tree at 124 12th Avenue South when redeveloping the building at 1100 Demonbreun Street. The presentation of a large wooden plate, the first item made by artist Pat Matranga from the heart pine beams from the Union Station Train Shed estimated to between 400 and 600 years old, was made at the 14th annual High Tree Party April 20 at Harpeth Hall School, 3801 Hobbs Road.

2000 – No award given.

1999 –Mayor Phil Bredesen and Andrea Conte in recognition of their support and participation in ReLeaf Nashville as honorary chairs of the three-year project to replan and replant areas affected by the April 16, 1998, tornado. A box made from a cedar tree felled by the tornado at The Hermitage was presented at the Second Annual Mayor’s Metro-Area Beautification Award Ceremony June 8 at Cheekwood’s Botanic Hall.

1998 – H. G. Hill Realty Company in recognition of its efforts to conserve the natural environment at Hill Place. The presentation of a handmade Tennessee walnut box was made to John Hardcastle and James Granbery at the First Annual Mayor’s Metro Area Beautification Award Ceremony June 2, 1998, at Cheekwood.

1997 – Carl Pitchford, groundskeeper for the metropolitan Development and Housing Agency for his efforts in improving the physical landscape at Nashville’s public housing developments. The presentation of a handmade Tennessee walnut box was made at the 10th annual High Tree Party April 25, 1997 at Ocean Way Studio, 1202 17th Avenue South at Edgehill Avenue.

1996—Ann Chapman, administrator of Metropolitan Beautification and Environment Commission, in recognition for dedication to improving Nashville’s landscapes and for her continuing support of the Nashville Tree Foundation and other tree organizations. The presentation of a handmade Tennessee walnut box was made at the 9th annual High Tree Party at Granbery Elementary School April 30, 1996.

1995 – Victor Johnson, the first recipient of the award for his contributions to the urban forest and the Nashville Tree Foundation. The award was presented at the 8th annual High Tree Party at Westminster Presbyterian Church May 5, 1995.

Johnson, retired president and chief executive officer of Aladdin Industries, is well known for his love of trees and for the impact he has had on Nashville’s landscape. Under his direction, the landscaping and beautiful plantings at Metro Center set the standard for developers.

Johnson also gave a generous gift in 1986 to the fledgling Nashville Tree Foundation, its first donor, which helped the organization get organized and begin its planting and educational efforts.

He accepted the handcrafted Tennessee walnut box by repeating a saying from his father that he said he believed was from one of Cicero’s orations: Nothing is more unselfish than to plant a tree you will never sit under.