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Murfreesboro sits in the heart of Middle Tennessee's diverse hardwood region, where the rolling hills of Rutherford County support an impressive variety of tree species. Whether you're strolling through Barfield Crescent Park, walking the Stones River Greenway, or just admiring the mature trees in your own backyard, understanding what's growing on your property helps you care for it properly.
Here's our guide to the most common trees you'll find in Murfreesboro and the Nashville metro area, plus care tips from our local arborist team.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
One of the most popular trees in Murfreesboro subdivisions and along streets throughout the city. Red maples deliver spectacular fall color and grow well in Tennessee's clay soils. They're relatively fast-growing but can develop weak branch unions that need attention. Care tip: Prune in late winter before spring growth. Remove crossing branches to prevent storm damage.
White Oak (Quercus alba)
The king of Middle Tennessee trees. White oaks are found throughout Rutherford County, especially in older neighborhoods near the Murfreesboro square and along Old Fort Park. These massive, long-lived trees can reach 80-100 feet and live for centuries. Care tip: Never top an oak — it causes decay that shortens the tree's life dramatically. Proper crown thinning by a certified arborist is the right approach.
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Tennessee's state tree grows abundantly throughout Middle Tennessee, including along the Stones River corridor and in wooded lots across Murfreesboro. Tulip poplars grow fast — often 2-3 feet per year — and can reach towering heights. Their tulip-shaped flowers bloom in spring. Care tip: These trees can develop aphid problems that cause sooty mold. Regular monitoring and occasional treatments keep them healthy.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
You'll see these evergreens everywhere in Rutherford County — along fence rows, in meadows, and as windbreaks on farms between Murfreesboro and Christiana. While they're native and provide important wildlife habitat, they can become invasive and crowd out other species. Care tip: Cedar-apple rust can affect nearby apple trees. Keep them trimmed or remove them if they're too close to fruit trees or structures.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Love them or hate them for their spiky gumballs, sweetgums are everywhere in Murfreesboro. They grow in yards along Memorial Boulevard, in parks, and in natural areas around the Stones River Battlefield. Their star-shaped leaves turn brilliant colors in fall. Care tip: Sweetgums have aggressive surface roots that can lift sidewalks and driveways. Plan root management early if they're near hardscaping.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
A beloved understory tree throughout Middle Tennessee, dogwoods bloom white and pink in spring and are a highlight in yards across Murfreesboro's neighborhoods from Salem to Blackman. Care tip: Dogwood anthracnose is a serious fungal disease in our area. Avoid overhead watering, keep mulch away from the trunk, and ensure good air circulation through proper pruning.
When to Call a Professional
While basic mulching and watering are DIY-friendly, most tree care tasks — pruning large branches, diagnosing diseases, treating pest infestations, and certainly any work near power lines — should be handled by professionals. At Miguel's Tree Services & Landscaping, we know Murfreesboro's trees because we work with them every day.
Whether you need routine trimming, disease diagnosis, or complete removal, call us at (615) 648-4292 for a free consultation.