{"id":52589,"date":"2026-10-29T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T11:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=52589"},"modified":"2026-10-26T16:32:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T20:32:40","slug":"paulding-county-master-gardener-volunteers-plant-america-250-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/paulding-county-master-gardener-volunteers-plant-america-250-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers Plant America 250 Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program in Paulding County is proud to participate in the nationwide America 250 celebration by planing a commemorative oak tree in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Master Gardener Volunteers across Ohio are planting oak trees as a symbol of strength, resilience, and longevity. The tree planted in Paulding County will serve as a lasting tribute to this historic milestone while enhancing the local landscape for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oak tree will be planted in an appropriate public location and identified with a commemorative tag recognizing its connection to the America 250 celebration and the efforts of the local Master Gardener Volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers chose the location in Paulding to commemorate the newly establish Veterans Memorial. The Swamp White Oak tree (Quercus bicolor) was chosen by the group due to the nativeness of the tree and being a historical part of the great Black Swamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Master Gardener Volunteer, Sherri Rager, shared “Oaks are a keystone species which play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community. Oaks have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their abundance. Oaks are very valuable wildlife trees and support more life forms that any other North American tree genus. This number can reach upwards of 21,000 species who rely on the oak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She continued, “White Oaks typically live 100-500 years routinely over 300 years. Oaks are a symbol of an 80th wedding anniversary. Because of their ability to withstand storms, they are often called Mighty Oak or King of Trees. Specifically, Swamp White oaks leaves are glossy and green on top and white and have a velvety feel on the bottom. The wood is strong, heavy, hard and durable. Typically, the tree will grow 1-2 feet per year, topping out at 50-60 feet tall and wide. Swamp White oaks will begin producing acorns in 20-25 years. “<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community members are encouraged to visit the tree and follow along as Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers join others across Ohio in this unique project. Photos from the planting will also be shared as part of a statewide effort to highlight volunteer impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dan Wilder of the Paulding VFW Post 5087 blessed the tree during the dedication ceremony. His blessing noted “We bow our heads in thanksgiving today as we gather to plant this living memorial. We remember with deep gratitude, the courageous men and women who laid the foundations of our liberty. As this tree takes root in the earth, let it be a symbol of the enduring strength, resilience, and faith of our Revolutionary Patriot ancestors. Bless this soil, O Lord. Send your sun and your rain to nourish this tree so that it may grow strong and tall. May its leaves offer shelter, its branches stretch toward the heavens, and its presence remind all who pass by of the precious cost of freedom. Just as the roots of this tree hold fast to the ground, anchor our hearts in the principles of patriotism, community, and service. Help us to honor the memory of those who came before us by caring for our nation and each other. Watch over this tree as a lasting beacon of hope for future generations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is part of the Ohio State University Extension and its dedicated to promoting research-based horticultural education, environmental stewardship, and community service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Paulding County contact Sarah Noggle, Extension Educator at (419)399-8225 or by emailing noggle.17@osu.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program in Paulding County is proud to participate in the nationwide<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":52590,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"nfd_image_url":"","nfd_onboarding_generated":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[30403,7335,5767,59],"class_list":["post-52589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-america250","tag-master-gardener","tag-osu-extension","tag-paulding"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t