Friday, February 14th, 2020




To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant and time to uproot that which is planted.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2






Confession: I know very few Biblical verses by heart. However, many years ago, there was a song by The Byrds called “Turn! Turn! Turn!” that used these phrases – and it spoke to me.

I know about seasons, about planting and about uprooting – deep-down-in-my-bones knowing. Uprooting is thought of as harsh as compared to the hope of planting. But they are interwoven. We need to plant. And then when the time is right, we need to uproot in order to begin anew.

For nearly 45 years, you have allowed me to be a part of your planting – whether it was your corner landscape beds, sprawling estates or acres of commercial property – your own little corner of this Earth. I will be forever grateful for those relationships and your trust.

So many lessons learned over these four plus decades; lessons forgotten, reevaluated and relearned again. As one of my favorite customers Nancy Thomas reminds me on occasion, “You were barely dry behind the ears when I started buying from you.”

I remember those “dry” years – 16 hour days, six and seven days a week. In hindsight, I look with tiredness and fondness on that time!

And even though in my mind I thought I was the only one who could “make it or break it”, there was really an army – dozens of wonderful employees through the years who stood next to me. People that made you feel confident in us, showed you that our product was the best the industry had to offer and demonstrated that our word was genuine.

There was Sarah, my first paid employee, who at $3.00 an hour exceeded my own pay. Jacques, who started with me at age 16 back in 1978 and grew into a devoted, respected, and skilled landscape designer and manager. And so many others who embraced the idea that Allisonville Nursery was where customers would receive top notch service and exceptional product in a beautiful setting.

And while the green goods have always been at the root of our business, along the way we created a destination gift and home décor store – a feature we hoped would help you express your own style at home where you could welcome friends and family. This venture was nurtured by my wife, Nancy, and I am grateful for her exceptional vision and partnership.

In more recent years, the nursery also served as the backdrop for countless community charitable efforts, Evenings in the Garden, hayrides, Christmas Open Houses and more. It was a privilege to welcome you into these gatherings and they remain as some of my most cherished memories during my time at 11405 Allisonville Road.

I also had the privilege of working with tremendous vendors and growers through those 44 years. I especially enjoyed walking through the fields of our Kentucky and Tennessee tree growers. Bouncing along on some semblance of an all-terrain vehicle and hand selecting the best of the best for you, was heaven to me. Beautiful specimens of Redpointe Maples, Rising Sun Redbuds, Sweet Bay Magnolias, and Cherokee Princess Dogwoods all beckoned and I couldn’t wait to see them lined up at the nursery waiting for you to take home and nurture.

In my office, I have a bumper sticker that reads: “Trees Are The Answer.” Sounds
so simple but I truly believe that – they embody an appreciation for the beauty of the present and a hope for the future.

(A nurseryman’s mantra: “The best time to plant a tree was five years ago. The second best time is today.”)

Beginning now, I gently uproot myself from what I have known and loved all these years at Allisonville Nursery. That season served me well and I am grateful for it all. There are new, slower seasons to embrace and I look ahead with hope. But first:

“Is the greenhouse roof closed?”
“Are the barn lights out?”
“Is the gate locked?”

Yes, they are – but ready to be enthusiastically to be opened by Pat Sullivan of Sullivan Hardware and Garden. Pat, Beth and their family are the epitome of a much-loved local business and their stellar reputation among the industry is well deserved. I’m excited for what they will bring to you, our loyal customers, and welcome them through our gates and into this vibrant community.

With gratitude,

Jeff Gatewood
The Allisonville Nursery family would like to thank Jeff for his years of leadership.

We reminisce fondly about the past and look excitedly to the future as Allisonville Nursery turns over a new leaf, carrying on our traditions and preparing for a future of growth.