The Future of the Sandhill Native Tree Nursery

Written By Carrie Harmon
Aerial view of potted tree nursery showing two hoop houses and three long, rectangular concrete pads, all containing potted trees of varying species. Fall tree foliage and the Blue Ridge Mountains can be seen in the top third.

Since 2012, our Community Orchard and Native Tree Nursery at the Buncombe County Sports Park have been the heart of Asheville GreenWorks’ community forestry efforts. Thanks to a generous zero-dollar lease and grant support from Buncombe County, we’ve had the space to grow and distribute over 20,000 trees—work that proved essential when Hurricane Helene devastated our region. Thousands of volunteers, neighbors, and dedicated TreeKeepers have poured their sweat and love into this work, nurturing a living legacy for our community.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that receiving a free tree from GreenWorks meant the world to someone, anchoring a special memory or helping a family rebuild their sense of place. When Hurricane Helene devastated our region, that need to heal our land and restore what was lost became immediately, painfully clear.

Now that cherished sanctuary is facing a major transition. Buncombe County is developing a multi-use recreation facility at the site, meaning our lease won’t be renewed in 2028 and our Native Tree Nursery must relocate.

While we’re optimistic that the County will protect the mature fruit trees we planted over a decade ago that provide free organic produce to our community, our nursery operations urgently need a new path forward.

While leaving this land breaks our hearts, this transition presents a rare opportunity. Post-Helene, our tree planting efforts have expanded tenfold, stretching our current space past its limit. To keep healing Western North Carolina's canopy, expanding tree equity, and restoring hope across our communities, we need a permanent home—and we need your help to secure it.

How You Can Help Us Regrow:

  • Donate Land: We are seeking a gift or long-term lease of roughly 2 to 5 flat, accessible acres in the Asheville area. A permanent site will allow us to rebuild our infrastructure and expand our growing capacity for generations to come.

If you own land that could shelter our nursery, or if you can contribute financially to secure our future, please reach out to us today. Together, we can turn this loss into a lasting canopy for our entire community.

Contact email: aj@ashevillegreenworks.org

Carrie Harmon
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