AZ America 250th
Trees250: Planting a Living Legacy for America’s 250th Anniversary
As Arizona celebrates America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Trees250 invites communities across the state to plant a tree as a living legacy of liberty, community, and stewardship.
The idea is simple: during the first week of December 2026, counties, cities, towns, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to plant a tree in celebration of America250. The goal is to make participation easy, meaningful – and fun.
Trees250 builds on Arizona’s existing Passport250 campaign and the many people and organizations already working to plant, care for, and celebrate trees in their communities. It is envisioned as a campaign, not a new government program. There would be no complicated application, new grant program, or extensive reporting requirements.
Why a Liberty Tree?
The idea has an especially appropriate historical connection. During the American Revolution, Liberty Trees became gathering places where colonists met, organized, protested British rule, and celebrated the ideals of self-government and independence. The most famous Liberty Tree, an elm in Boston, became a powerful symbol of the American struggle for liberty. Today, communities are again planting Liberty Trees as part of the America250 commemoration.
A tree is a fitting symbol because, unlike a monument of stone or bronze, it grows. It provides shade, supports wildlife, improves communities, and can live for generations. A Liberty Tree planted in 2026 can become part of the history and landscape of an Arizona community for decades – or even centuries – to come.
15 Counties. Dozens of Communities.
Trees250 encourages each of Arizona’s 15 counties to plant at least one tree in a prominent public place, with cities and towns invited to participate as well.
Potential locations might include courthouses, historic downtowns, schools, libraries, museums, parks, civic plazas, historic properties, or other meaningful community spaces.
Communities choose their own tree and location, with existing forestry and tree-care resources available to help ensure the right tree is planted in the right place and can be properly cared for over time.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management can serve as a statewide technical and educational resource, while organizations such as Trees Matter and other local and regional tree groups can provide assistance within their existing geographic reach and capacity.
Connecting Trees and History
Trees250 also provides an opportunity to introduce more Arizonans to the state’s existing Magnificent Trees program, including Champion, Heritage, and Witness Trees. A newly planted Liberty Tree would not automatically be considered a Heritage Tree; rather, its story begins with its planting. Over time, some may develop the cultural significance and history that could make them candidates for future recognition.
The Arizona Preservation Foundation and other preservation organizations can help connect Liberty Trees with historic places and local stories.
Planting Day: December 1–7, 2026
The campaign’s statewide focus will be the first week of December 2026, creating a shared moment of celebration while avoiding the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods.
A community’s event can be as simple as planting a tree and taking a photograph – or can include a mayor, county supervisor, students, veterans, civic organizations, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, or a short history of the Liberty Tree.
The important thing is participation.
Choose a tree. Choose a place. Plant it. Tell the story.
Then watch it grow.
Trees250 is an invitation to Arizona communities to mark 250 years of American history by planting something that future generations can see, touch, sit beneath, and enjoy – a living reminder that liberty, like a tree, flourishes when we care for it.