Nashville Tree Foundation’s annual, city-wide celebration of trees
The Search for Nashville’s Biggest Tree — Anyone Can Join In!
The Big Old Tree Contest is for families, friends, classrooms, or solo nature lovers. By identifying and submitting a Big Old Tree, you are taking part in a countywide effort to track these living landmarks. You could find the biggest tree in your neighborhood, your school, or the county!
What is the Big Old Tree Contest?
The Big Old Tree Contest is a city-wide celebration of trees. Whether it’s the oldest, or the largest, or the most significant tree in Nashville, we want to share their story. We believe that trees are living treasures, and their historical, cultural, and ecological significance should be acknowledged. By showcasing these majestic specimens, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our urban forest.
Nashville Tree Foundation created the Big Old Tree Contest in 1986 to educate school children on the importance of our local tree canopy. The program is now a historic resource to identify and chronicle the city’s largest and most notable trees, and has honored more than 1,000 trees across Davidson County.
Note: We are not currently taking submissions for our 2026 Big Old Tree Contest. Stay tuned for more information on when and how to submit your nomination! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Contest Details
Rules:
- Tree must be alive and accessible, so we can verify its species and size.
- Three measurements are taken to determine the tree’s ultimate “point total”, and points are compared between species.
Categories:
- Biggest Overall Tree (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place)
- Biggest Tree found by a Junior Tree Hugger (15 and under)
- Biggest Tulip Poplar (TN State Tree)
- Biggest Schoolyard Tree
- Story Tree
- Unique Tree
Note: We are not currently taking submissions for our 2026 Big Old Tree Contest. Stay tuned for more information on when and how to submit your nomination! Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
