NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new state program allows people to buy trees or flowers for planting at one of the four welcome centers in the state.

"Tennessee Groves is a beautiful way to create a lasting memory of a loved one, honor a fallen friend, or celebrate a special occasion, such as the birth of a child," said Gov. Phil Bredesen in a press release. "By planting flowers and trees we are also adding to the natural beauty of our state and improving the air we all breathe."

At a ceremony on Tuesday, the program's first flowers were planted in honor of Eddie Newcomb, a Tennessee Department of Transportation HELP Supervisor from Knoxville who died in May 2009.

"The flowers planted today will be a lasting memorial to Eddie Newcomb's service and dedication to the state of Tennessee," added Nicely. "Eddie really enjoyed his work with the HELP unit in Knoxville and through the years he came to the rescue of hundreds of motorists. His legacy will continue each summer when these flowers bloom."

Through Tennessee Groves, individuals or groups may purchase trees or flowers for planting at one of four Welcome Centers in the state: Interstate 81 in Bristol, Interstate 55 in Memphis, Interstate 75 in Chattanooga and Interstate 65 in Giles County beginning in the fall 2009.

The state said in a press release that each donor will receive a certificate denoting the type of tree or flower to be planted, the donor's name and the name of the person or event being honored. Trees will be planted each year between November and March.

Three types of plantings are available: shade trees, including sugar maples, red oaks and magnolias, are available for $275; flowering trees such as dogwoods and redbuds may be purchased for $150; and flowers, including daffodils, tulips and daylilies may be purchased for $25.

TDOT hopes to expand the program to more areas, such as state rest areas, in the future.

"Tennessee Groves is a good alternative to roadside memorials," said TDOT Chief of Environment and Planning Ed Cole in a press release. "Placing a memorial along a busy roadway is dangerous to both the person placing the memorial and passing motorists. Those memorials can be distracting and can serve as projectiles should a driver inadvertently leave the roadway and strike it. In contrast, Tennessee Groves is a safe, lasting and legal way to honor and remember a loved one."

For more information on the Tennessee Groves program or to purchase a tree or flower, visit http://www.tn.gov/tdot or http://www.tufc.com.