Heritage Tree Planted at Barkcamp State Park
Press Release
BELMONT – A ceremonial tree planting took place at Barkcamp State Park on September 25 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 2025 (April 25, 2025), and will ensure the planting of a commemorative tree in communities across the state.
Started in 2025 and continuing throughout 2026, Heritage Trees will be planted in all 88 of Ohio’s counties. At Barkcamp, the tree was planted on September 25, 2026 close to the red barn at the campgrounds. This location was chosen as the site for the Heritage Tree because of the soil, and the space is ideal for the tree to thrive.
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 the celebration, 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.
The location was chosen by several local organizations. JB Green Team, Barkcamp State Park, Belmont County Soil and Water Conservation and Keep Ohio Beautiful worked together to find a location where the tree could be enjoyed by residents all year round.
“We were contacted by Keep Ohio Beautiful earlier this year as Belmont County did not have a Heritage Tree location yet,” said Dorene Unterzuber, Education Coordinator, Belmont County, “We reached out to Belmont County Soil and Water Conservation and Barkcamp State Park to find a suitable location. Both organizations were happy to help, and it was decided that the best place would be at Barkcamp.”
White oak trees were selected because they grow in many soil types, resist most tree diseases and are native to Ohio. A specific white oak species is 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 and Supporting Sponsors Ohio Liquor and The Lubrizol Foundation. 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 celebrates its semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of theDeclaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration that reflects its unique character and contributions to the nation over the past 250 years. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (also known as the America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. Its charge is to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present and future. More information is available at America250-Ohio.org.
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