A white oak planting at the Preble County Historical Society's Nature Center in Eaton was dedicated on Oct. 15 as part of the America 250-Ohio Heritage Trees Planting History Program, according to The Register-Herald.
The statewide effort calls for placing a native white oak in every one of Ohio's 88 counties to mark the nation's semiquincentennial, the report said. Leslie Wagner, a member of the America 250-Ohio Commission, historian at Dawes Arboretum in Newark and project lead, took part in the ceremony with society representatives and county officials.
Wagner said she proposed the project in 2022, describing it as a statewide push timed to the country's 250th birthday. She cited the Revolutionary-era Liberty Tree as inspiration and said white oaks (Quercus alba) were chosen for appearance, ecological value and lifespan. Properly maintained, they can average 200 to 300 years, she said. Trees came from Ohio nurseries, with supplies from A.M. Leonard in Pickaway County, and sponsors listed were Sunovus Energy, Ohio Liquor and the Lubrizol Foundation.
Executive Director Lisa White welcomed attendees, and Board President Harold Niehaus reviewed a year of anniversary work, including projects tied to two America 250 grants, historic plaques, a county historic map and new Civil War and Underground Railroad exhibits. He said the society's Facebook following has passed 12,000.
Commissioner Adam Craft read Proclamation 533, adopted by Commissioners Rachael Vonderhaar, David Haver and Craft. It endorses the planting program and calls the tree a symbol of the community's resilience and environmental commitment. A commemorative plaque accompanies the planting.