Champaign County held a dedication Thursday for a newly planted heritage tree in Urbana, according to Peak of Ohio, linking the event to Ohio’s observance of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
The 11 a.m. ceremony took place at Freedom Grove, beside the Champaign County Community Center at 1512 South U.S. Highway 68. Organizers chose the location for its ties to patriotism, military service, first responders and remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks, the report said.
The tree belongs to Heritage Trees: Planting History, an America 250-Ohio program. The state commission coordinates Ohio’s semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026. The effort started in 2025 with a goal of a commemorative tree in every one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Native white oaks were picked because they tolerate varied soils and resist many diseases, according to the report. The program cites Boston’s historic Liberty Tree, a gathering place during the American Revolution, as inspiration.
Attendees included Andrea Jordan of the America 250-Ohio Commission; Champaign County Commissioners Tim Cassady, Steve Hess and Nino Vitale; and Urbana Councilwoman Stephanie Truelove. Representatives from local gardening, civic, tree-panel, anniversary-committee, chamber and city development groups also attended.
Urbana was chosen partly because it is the county seat and because of its tree-preservation record. The city has held Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for 24 consecutive years, the report said.
America 250-Ohio was formed in 2022 to plan anniversary commemorations and highlight Ohioans’ contributions. Cenovus Energy is presenting sponsor of the Heritage Trees program; Ohio Liquor and The Lubrizol Foundation are supporting sponsors, alongside conservation and arboretum partners.