I'm trying to figure out what kind of plant this is? Weed? Type of fern? It's in partial sun, next to the woods, and surrounded by dozens of ferns. I originally thought pine but it doesn't smell like it.

Dawn Redwood?

It really does look like a Dawn Redwood. Are there a lot of them in TN?

Not sure. I'm completely new to gardening...we moved into our house last year..it's grown about a foot but seems to be becoming more bushier than taller. We have miles of trees behind us but not any dawn redwoods.

Dawn redwoods turn yellow and lose their leaves in the fall, so that would be one hint. If its growing bushy, maybe there is an old trunk down there that's sprouted? They do get quite large.

My first thought was Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) which is common in Eastern Tn. but then I enlarged the photo and it does indeed look a lot like Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and I found this page showing it growing on the grounds at the ETSU Arboretum.
https://www.plantsmap.com/orga...
https://www.plantsmap.com/orga...

If not the Dawn Redwood, another possibility: Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

I found this in an artilce about the difference between Dawn Redwood and Bald Cypress:

"Cypress leaves are alternately arranged on the stems and the Dawn Redwood leaves are opposite in arrangement. This is a primary clue to proper identification."

http://www.gardensmart.tv/?p=a...

Crazy. The man who lived here before us was an avid gardener....and he didn't know what it was.. thanks everyone!!!

It could very well be a seedling. Do you by any chance get mulch at a local convenience center like I do? I get all kinds of volunteers in my mulch. Hollies, Rose of Sharon, Nandina, Tulip Poplar, etc. I have a small seedling which I think is either Dawn Redwood or Bald Cypress that sprouted last year.

We buy bagged mulch. Anything is possible! It's truly amazing the things that we've found in our yard this spring.

I get loose mulch at our county convenience center. It is made of shredded yard waste and wood of all kinds. It is aged and composted. It does have bits of trash sometimes but it is free. Unlimited access. I have been using it since 2005 and have never had weed problems from using it. Just the occasional seedling like I mentioned. Have you checked with your county to see if they have the same?