MURFREESBORO — County crews were busy on the square Monday, November 17, 2025, erecting Rutherford County’s new three‑story artificial Christmas tree on the east side of the historic courthouse. The towering display will serve as the centerpiece for this year’s holiday festivities, replacing the Leyland Cypress planted in 2018 by then Mayor Bill Ketron. That tree, once a symbol of the county’s holiday spirit, had begun to die, prompting officials to consider alternatives.
County Mayor Joe Carr explained that he met with Main Street Murfreesboro’s Executive Director Sarah Callender to discuss options ahead of the annual lighting ceremony scheduled for 5:00 o’clock Friday evening, December 5. Together, they decided that an artificial tree would provide a more reliable and lasting solution. The old cypress was removed earlier this fall, and a concrete pad was poured to anchor the new structure.
The decision was influenced in part by Columbia, Tennessee, which installed a similar artificial tree a few years ago. Commissioner Pettus Read told WGNS that Columbia’s experience has been positive, with the tree becoming a centerpiece of their downtown celebrations. That success gave Rutherford County confidence in moving forward with its own installation…