Betty Brown Tree Trail and Arboretum

Nashville Tree Foundation is thrilled to announce the opening of the Betty Brown Tree Trail and Arboretum in Summer 2015 in conjunction with the newly developed Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. Named after founding board member and first president, Betty Moorhead Brown (1939-2011), the trail is Nashville's first downtown arboretum.  With 263 trees representing 36 different species, it meanders along the perimeter of the park then loops through garden space.

Location:  
Riverfront Park at Ascend Amphitheater
301 First Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37201
Trailhead is located at the Riverview Gardens of the Park.  Look for the signage at the red star on the map below.

Tree_Trail_Guide_Map.jpg
Betty Brown portrait.jpg

Created in partnership with Metro Nashville Parks, the Tree Trail reflects Betty Brown's formidable impact on Nashville's urban tree canopy.  Betty was also a visionary who helped redevelop the original Riverfront Park.  She led the Nashville Tree Foundation as president from its founding in 1986, stepping down in 2010.  

The Betty Brown Tree Trail and Arboretum was made possible by gifts in the name of Betty Brown to the Nashville Tree Foundation and by friends and family.  A $250,000 grant gift - that includes monies in addition to funding from the USDA Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry - also endows tree maintenance for at least 15 years post contractors' warranty.

What will you see at the trail?

For your convenience, Nashville Tree Foundation has developed a guide pamphlet for the Betty Brown Tree Trail that lists the tree species and what to look for along your way.  You may pick up one at the visitor's kiosk at the park or download one here.

Group tours are available upon request.

Contact
trees@nashvilletreefoundation.org
to schedule yours

“Mayor Karl Dean - “Betty Brown was a visionary who long dreamed of a beautiful park along the Cumberland River, and I am confident she would be delighted to know that Riverfront Park is now home to Nashville’s very first downtown arboretum. Metro’s partnership with the Nashville Tree Foundation allows Nashville to continue to become a greener, healthier and more attractive city.””

SPECIES OF TREES

  • Threadleaf Japanese Maple

  • October Glory Maple

  • Sugar Maple

  • River Birch

  • Water Hickory

  • Shellbark Hickory

  • Yellowwood

  • Deodar Cedar

  • Ginkgo

  • Red Cedar

  • Tulip Poplar

  • Cucumber Magnolia

  • Southern Magnolia

  • Sweetbay Magnolia

  • Black Gum

  • Persian Ironwood

  • Chinese Pistache

  • London Planetree

  • Crimson Spire Oak

  • White Oak

  • Swamp White Oak

  • Overcup Oak

  • Burr Oak

  • Chinkapin Oak

  • Nuttall Oak

  • Willow Oak

  • Bald Cypress

  • Linden

  • Princeton American Elm

  • Lacebark Elm

  • Trident Maple

  • Serviceberry

  • Redbud

  • China Snow Fringetree

  • Fringetree

  • Smooth Sumac