The metal tags are much larger and more brightly colored than traditional ones, which are often just large enough to contain the tree’s name. Credit: Nina Cardona/WPLN
A recent project to give Centennial Park’s tree tags a multimedia element may soon spread beyond Nashville.
The new plaquards identify the species of tree, of course, but also include a musician’s name and a QR code. Scan with a smartphone, and the dogwood tag brings up a video of Suzy Boggus.
Where I grew up on the plains of Illinois, we didn’t have dogwoods. So when I moved down to Nashville in the winter of 1985, it was a huge surprise when the dogwoods came out. It was like fairyland.
The pin oak tag leads to Reba McIntire talking about the trees that line her driveway. Jim Lauderdale shares that he likes to do tai chi in the shade of a sugarberry.
The tags and videos were produced by the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee. Now that the videos are all online, director Gina Hancock says the QR code for, say, a black walnut, can be placed on any black walnut, anywhere.
We’ve been working with our Georgia colleagues; we really want to take this program to Atlanta. We’re going to make the signs available so you can just print them off the website and just put them up.
Wherever they’re placed, Hancock says education is only part of the goal. She also hopes people who stop to scan a code will also take the time to really look at and enjoy the tree where they found it.
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