By Blake Davis

Two years ago, I achieved a dream I didn’t think was possible. I bought a house with a little bit of land—a place where I could plant, grow, and restore.

Exploring the property I quickly realized nearly everything growing here was invasive. Tree of Heaven (the host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect destroying native trees across the eastern U.S.) and Japanese honeysuckle were rampant.

After MGDC members Caroll Marrero convinced me to read some Doug Tallamy, and Paul Prill got me all excited about native planting, I’m doing what I can to fight the war against invasive bushes and plant as many trees as I can.

I contacted the Cumberland River Compact program “Root Nashville”. They are dedicated to increasing the tree canopy in Davidson County, giving three free trees to neighborhood yards across Nashville. 

I found out they also have a large-yard tree program made for places of worship, HOA’s and residents with enough land to support 10+ trees. After a few site visits and some commitments for care, I’m honored they chose to deliver a large number of trees to my yard—each one a quiet force in an ever-growing urban landscape.

For months I dug holes every night, augering pilot holes and expanding with a shovel. Some friends and new neighbors came to help, and that summer found my daughter eating her first berries from a baby carrier on my back, pointing and squawking until I let her pick straight from the new Serviceberry (or as I prefer, Juneberry) trees in my yard.

The Quiet Power of Trees (Why This Matters Beyond Berries and Beauty)

Now my daughter is about to turn three years old and has already asked me about a dozen times this year when summer is coming and the Juneberries will be ready to eat. My yard is starting to fill with sounds beyond the typical traffic and airplanes we hear so close to a city as the buzz of insects increases and butterflies like Red-Spotted Purples and Viceroys have started appearing more regularly in the yards connected to mine.

The past two summers have seen friends and neighbors bring cups and buckets to share in berry activities like picking and baking.

In 2021 I lived on one of the worst hit streets when the 7 Mile Creek flooded. I was out in knee to waist deep water until 2am helping neighbors out of their houses and pointing them across the street and uphill to my house where my wife and over a dozen traumatized neighbors were waiting with blankets, children, babies and dogs as they could watch through our window as their houses flooded across the street.
This is what Root Nashville is about. Their goal is to plant 500,000 trees across Davidson County by 2050.
Call your representative: Request that they look into what is happening with these funds that were secured, but have been removed with no warning.
Donate to Root Nashville: Every penny makes a difference.
Plant a tree yourself, or even better become a Tree Planting Captain! If you have a yard, now is the time to put roots in our Nashville neighborhoods. 

But planting trees isn’t just for the insects, berries, and pretty views.

Trees do essential jobs for the city’s health such as lowering temperatures, cleaning the air, supporting wildlife and, you guessed it, preventing flooding.

Bad News with No Warning 

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled around $1 million in federal funding that had been earmarked for The Cumberland River Compact’s tree canopy program, canceling plans that were built off of valid contracts meant to place trees where they are needed most.

I reached out to my contacts at both Root Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact. They assured me that the work will continue—Root Nashville remains funded by Metro Nashville and Metro Water Services, and Cumberland River Compact is still financially stable. 

But they confirmed what this lost funding means: Fewer trees planted in low-canopy neighborhoods that need them most, fewer contracts for Tennessee tree farmers who grow these trees, less green space growth, and slower progress in the fight against extreme heat and urban flooding.

What You Can Do (Right Now) to Help

Spread the word: Many people are unaware of the Cumberland River Compact, Root Nashville, or their funding cuts.

If you want help, call me and I’ll lend my shovel—as long as you’re willing to let my 2 and 4 year old bring theirs. And I’ll bring some berries if they’re in season.