Landscaping and Beautification
Map 8: Knoxville Street Tree Master Plan

A Street Tree Master Plan was prepared for the City of Knoxville by MPC staff in 2002, with public space, particularly rights-of-way, as the focus. Major corridors and thoroughfares were given particular attention because they are so often devoid of trees. The adjacent map and the following highlights are from the Street Tree Master Plan. More specifics, including detailed corridor maps for Clinton Highway, Middlebrook Pike, and Western Avenue, can be found in the MPC library and online.

• Clinton Highway
  This highway has a wide median, which has been partially landscaped. Occasionally, small ornamental trees have been planted next to commercial uses. Otherwise, there are very few trees along the corridor.
  • I-640 to McClain Drive: the median has been partially landscaped, additional trees can be added and, most importantly, trees should be planted in the adjoining yards and parking areas.
  • McClain Drive to Murray Drive: the median is drained by a swale, and there is the potential opportunity for further median planting, possibly by enclosing portions of the drainage system and adding trees in those areas. Planting in yards and parking areas are also recommended.
• Hollywood Drive
  Plant native trees along the road, especially in the vicinity of Pond Gap Elementary School.

Clinton Highway, west of McClain Drive

Schaad Road: The medians and roadside edge are significant planting opportunities

• Schaad Road and Callahan Drive
  The recently completed section of Schaad and Callahan Roads are almost devoid of landscape. A tree-planting program should be undertaken, taking advantage of the median space. Merchant Drive between Clinton Highway and I-75 is also an area that needs particular attention.
• Pleasant Ridge Road Improvements:
  Create a planting program with road widening. Given the residential surroundings and links to schools, work with area residents to weigh the possibilities of a landscaped median and separated sidewalks as part of the road design.
• Middlebrook Pike
  In recent years, much of this thoroughfare was widened to four lanes with a landscaped median. The city grasped the opportunity to plant hundreds of sycamores, maples and dogwoods in median spaces. Those projects provide direction for additional tree planting.
• Western Avenue
  A five-lane improvement has been proposed for this corridor. Although a boulevard style design would provide more opportunity for landscape improvements, future road work should incorporate landscaping and street trees as part of the design and construction process.
  
  Guidelines concerning lighting, access control, signage and parking will be increasingly important as this area grows and capacity on the roadway increases. As a ‘gateway arterial” establishing high functional and aesthetic standards for development should be a priority.