Drummonds Park Arboretum

This park/project is located in Drummonds, TN in Tipton County. Established in 2015, the arboretum has over 35 labelled trees on a trail that meanders through a 30 acre park, offering education to the community with expert led nature walks through the trails once or twice a year.  This park/project was the recipient of the Innovative project award from the State of Tennessee in 2018.

Saturday, November 6, 2021 a group of over 50 people gathered during a glorious fall day in Drummonds Park to celebrate the re-certification of the Drummonds Park Arboretum.  This is managed by Tipton County Extension Master Gardeners (TCEMG).  The arboretum is now a collection of 45 trees properly labelled (common and scientific name) and cared for by Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) standards.  Our members were joined by several officials and members of the West Tennessee Chapter of the TUFC and members of the public.  

Tipton County Mayor, Jeff Huffman, addressed the group, declaring that this was the type of event that helped provide the quality of life we enjoy in West Tennessee.  He further stated that this quality was noticed and sought out by advance "scouts" from Ford Motor Company and was a major factor in their decision to invest in the West Tennessee Industrial Megasite.

Wes Hopper, certified arborist and the TUFC inspector for authorizing our certification, congratulated Tipton County Master Gardeners on the hard work and the quality of the arboretum before unveiling the sign that signifies our certification through 2024.

Some of the group then took a guided tour led by Neil Bell and WTUFC member Richard Beckwith on an ADA approved route with easy paved access, examining over a dozen trees in detail.  Wes took another group on a grass and gravel path tour of more than 15 trees, providing a wealth of tree lore and knowledge.

At the end of his tour, West Hopper led Master Gardeners and the family of deceased former TCEMG Cheryl Stimpson in the planting of a memorial tree in her name.  The day was ended with a short demonstration of the proper pruning of a crape myrtle.