Marietta & Washington County to Plant Heritage Tree as Part of
America 250-Ohio Commemoration
Marietta, Ohio (October 4, 2025) — 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 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, the tree will be planted in Gold Star Park in Marietta on October 9, 2025, with a commemorative ceremony beginning at 10:00 AM. Gold Star Park was chosen as the site for the tree to continue our community’s legacy of honoring the dedication of our 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.
“Our local America 250-OH committees from both Washington County and the City of Marietta have been working together in earnest to provide opportunities for residents to celebrate together, while also giving history and heritage tourists opportunity to learn more about our regions’ rich history and its relevance to our nation’
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.
About America 250-Ohio
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the AM250- OH Commission is “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.