Flagship Initiatives

Beyond the Liberty Tree

*Based on popular demand, eligibility for the Beyond The Liberty Tree initiative has been expanded to include any publicly accessible lands, not just public lands. This now includes places such as public gardens, arboretums, and other locations where the public is invited or permitted access.*

The Liberty Tree was an iconic rallying point of the American Revolution and a hallmark of community and commemorative anniversaries from 7776 to the present. Through this Semiquincentennial program titled “Beyond the Liberty Tree” we seek to commemorate our nation’s history and its “promise of liberty” through education and by placing a commemorative tree on North Carolina’s civic spaces and increase ecological and environmental awareness through reforestation programs across areas devastated by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

Application Deadline: Rolling applications will be received January 15 – September 30, 2026 (digital or mail-in received-by-date).

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Announcement: The project will be managed by the America250 NC Buncombe County Committee and will soft launch in August of 2025 in commemoration of the felling of the original liberty tree in Boston, Massachusetts, by loyalist Nathaniel Coffin in August of 1775. A more public launch will take place on the Anniversary of Hurricane Helene in late September 2025.

Environmental Impact – Nominations for WNC Reforestation Plantings: America250 NC Buncombe County Committee, in partnership with regional, state, and national conservation organizations will be taking nominations and coordinating the planting of 250 trees for every nominated site. Reforestation Tree Plantings will being in the fall of 2026.

Commemorative Impact – Nominations for Landmark Tree Plantings: America250 NC Buncombe County Committee will be accepting nominations for parks, civic and community spaces to receive a commemorative tree planting in 2026. Nominating communities will be responsible for raising funds to support the sponsorship of reforestation planting of 250 trees across WNC. Landmark Tree Plantings will be ceremonially planted in the Spring of 2026. Additional funds may be eligible to underfunded sites.

Educational Impact and Outreach: Working with history organizations from across the state, America250 NC’s ready-made curriculum will be promoted in schools, and will include educational programs on the history of the Liberty Tree.

TREE SPECIES RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

Beyond the Liberty Tree – Family Edition

The America 250 NC Buncombe County Committee (Buncombe County 250) expands its Beyond The Liberty Tree initiative through the launch of the Beyond The Liberty Tree – Family Edition, inviting families across North Carolina to take part in the living legacy of the Liberty Tree through commemorative tree plantings on eligible privately owned properties.

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Buncombe County 250 encourages families to make their mark on history by participating in this initiative, honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, and leaving a legacy that endures well beyond 2026. The program encourages households to come together with their loved ones and plant a living symbol of remembrance and shared family legacy for the 250th. Participating families will receive a commemorative plaque marking this national milestone to be installed alongside their tree.

Participating families will demonstrate the importance of environmental stewardship by supporting our next 250 years as a nation by donating to service organizations that have been instrumental in natural resource recovery in WNC, including, but not limited to, Asheville GreenWorks, The American Chestnut Foundation, RiverLink, and MountainTrue. These contributions support reforestation efforts in a region where Tropical Storm Helene impacted more than 822,000 acres of forested land.

The Beyond The Liberty Tree program, launched as part of the America 250 NC Buncombe County initiative, has already seen broad engagement across North Carolina through ceremonial tree plantings that commenced on Arbor Day of this year. The Beyond The Liberty Tree-Family Edition builds on this momentum by expanding opportunities for individual families to participate directly in the statewide commemoration effort while supporting the planting of legacy trees in communities across all 100 counties, displaying stewardship of the land.

“We recognized the need for the Beyond The Liberty Tree-Family Edition and the importance of planting living landmarks amongst families on their respective properties to connect them further to recognize the importance of freedom and the establishment of an enduring legacy,” said Glenn Stach, Director of Buncombe County 250. “Each tree planted represents a commitment to stewardship and a lasting legacy for future generations as we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.”