Rocky Top marks eighth year as Tree City USA
Children from Lake City Elementary School stand outside the Rocky Top library after the recent Arbor Day celebration held at the library. Kneeling at left is State Forester Brook Smith, who congratulated the city on its eighth year as a Tree City USA. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Since 2018, Rocky Top has been recognized as a Tennessee Tree City community, and there’s an event every year for school kids to tell them about the importance of trees to the environment.
The City Council during its February meeting approved Mayor Kerry Templin’s proclamation of Arbor Day 2026, which was read during the ceremony inside the library by Paislee Lamb from Lake City Elementary.
Tennessee State Forester Brook Smith spoke during the event, congratulating the city on its eighth year as a Tree City USA.
To earn a Tree City designation, a city must have a tree commission and meet other criteria concerning planting and preservation of trees within the city limits, along with conducting a public Arbor Day program.
Nearby Norris was the first Tennessee city to earn the Tree City designation – 47 years ago.
