SP515 Native Trees for Tennessee

Native trees are a natural. They have been in Tennessee since before the arrival of European settlers. Native trees are already part of the ecosystem, contributing to local energy flows and nutrient cycles. Other organisms in the system are adapted to the structure, function and chemical composition of native trees. Birds, insects, fungi and other wildlife recognize and use native trees to support their biological needs. Trees introduced from other countries or areas, the so-called exotics, do not always fulfill these needs.