Oaks for America: Planting Trees for America 250

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary since the Declaration of Independence, the Rotary Club of Raleigh is planting 250 trees around the City of Oaks
by Luca Muehlbauer

Heading into 2026, The Rotary Club of Raleigh decided it wanted to do something special for the 250th anniversary of the country. “Since we are known as the City of Oaks, we thought, What better gift could our club give to Raleigh than to plant 250 oak trees in celebration of American independence?” says John Cates, the club’s fundraising chair. The Rotary Club partnered with the City of Raleigh for this project, with the city managing the trees’ locations and planting and the club providing the funding.

The Rotary Club launched the campaign on Oct. 13 with a planting in Moore Square and since then has planted around 220 trees in Raleigh, with a plan to surpass their goal of 250 trees this fall. Over the last eight months, they’ve also had ceremonial tree plantings for special occasions, including one near the Field of Honor in Historic Oakwood Cemetery last Veteran’s Day.

In anticipation of Independence Day, the Rotary Club has been decorating the trees around downtown with red, white and blue ribbons. The idea came from club member Surry Roberts, who recalled how Vietnam veterans returning to the United States were welcomed back with trees tied with yellow ribbons.

“It’s the act of doing something for others that we hope can inspire and provide hope,” Cates says. “Knowing that these trees will be around long after we’re gone is very satisfying.”