The Arbor Day Poster Contest is an annual event open to all fifth grade students.  The purpose of the contest is to increase knowledge about trees.  The deadline is late February or early March with the specific date set yearly.

The State contest is sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, and the national contest is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota.

General rules include:

• Poster must state and follow the theme.

• Posters must be a minimum of 8 1/2" by 11" and a maximum of 14" by 18".

• Entries can not be folded, laminated, framed, matted or mounted.

• The student's name must be written in the lower right hand corner on the front of the poster.

• Entries may be done in marker, crayon, pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, ink, acrylic, and/or tempera paint.  Computer generated art or collages are not acceptable.

• Entries must be done on paper that will allow for duplication, display, and framing.

Students and teachers interested in entering should reference the specific rules in the contest booklet provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  It is updated yearly.

Prizes vary from year to year but the top 3 State winners usually get a plaque, certificate, and saving bond.  All students that participate in the state competition receive a certificate of participation signed by the State Forester of Tennessee.  The state winning poster is entered in the National contest.

Each school must select its winning poster and it may then be entered in the State Contest.  Generally, posters are sent by mail to:

Arbor Day Poster Contest
Tennessee Dept Agriculture, Forestry Division
P.O. Box 40627
Nashville, TN  37204

or delivery to:

Arbor Day Poster Contest
Ellington Agriculture Center - Bruer Bldg.
440 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN  37220

(It is advised that potential contestants check with the forestry division for current address prior to sending in entries.)

Fifth grade students are invited to enter.

This year's winners were (click to enlarge):

2008 First Place Winner - Ben Apodaca, Cedar Bluff Intermediate School, Knoxville

2008 Second Place Winner - Andrew Stout, Manley Elementary School, Morristown

2008 Third Place Winner - Veronika Vafina, Croft Middle School, Nashville

Bruce Webster, Urban Forester
Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry
P.O. Box 40627, Melrose Station
Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 837-5436, Fax: (615) 837-5003
Email: bruce.webster@state.tn.us