Photo Illustration

A ceremonial tree planting will take root in Washington County as part of the Heritage Trees: Planting History program under America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio’s celebrations and commemorations around America’s semiquincentennial in 2026.

The planting ceremony will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Gold Star Park in Marietta.

The Heritage Trees program officially kicked off in Lima, on Arbor Day, April 25. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Heritage Trees will be planted in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. In Washington County, Gold Star Park was chosen as the site for the tree to continue the community’s legacy of honoring the dedication of its active duty and veteran military service members over the past 250 years.

The Heritage Trees initiative draws inspiration from the historic Liberty Tree in Boston during the Revolutionary War period. The Heritage Trees program aims to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by planting native-to-Ohio white oak trees across the state. Throughout 2025 and 2026, America 250-Ohio will offer each Ohio county a white oak tree in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Sites selected in each county could be a city that acts as the county seat or participates in the Tree City USA program.

White oak trees were chosen as Heritage Trees because they grow in many soil types, resist most tree diseases and are native to Ohio. A specific white oak species will be chosen based on the county climate and purchased from a reputable Ohio tree nursery.

The Heritage Trees program is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Cenovus Energy. The program was created in partnership with Dawes Arboretum, Cox Arboretum MetroPark, Holden Forests & Gardens, Keep Ohio Beautiful, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Rowe Arboretum, and Secrest Arboretum.