Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Question: The flag of Tennessee’s governor features what type of tree, in a nod to a nickname for President Andrew Jackson?

Answer: The hickory tree on the governor’s flag honors Andrew Jackson, Tennessee’s most famous statesman, whose toughness earned him the nickname “Old Hickory.” The tree bears three white stars representing Tennessee as the 16th state admitted to the Union (the original 13 colonies plus three more), and a five-pointed star sits in each corner of the red flag, symbolizing that the governor automatically serves as commander in chief of the state’s National Guard.