Heritage Tree Planting

Scioto County to Plant Heritage Tree as Part of America 250-Ohio Commemoration
 A ceremonial tree planting will take root in Scioto 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 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.
 
Heritage Trees will be planted in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. In Scioto County, the tree will be planted on the campus of Shawnee State University on Tuesday, October 20.
 
Shawnee State University was chosen as the site for the Heritage Tree because the campus has been formally recognized and nationally accredited by ArbNet as a Level 2 arboretum, with approximately 400 trees representing more than 100 species within its 65 acres.  The arboretum is named after Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert (Bob) Deal, who guided the selection of tree species, their procurement, and their placement on campus while serving as a Professor of Biology at Shawnee State University for 29 years. Through continued commitment to promoting, caring for, and encouraging learning about trees, Shawnee State University has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA since 2016.