Liberty Tree Planting Set for Banshee Reeks Arbor Day Event

The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services will host a special Arbor Day celebration at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, honoring Virginia’s 250th anniversary (VA250) with the planting of a commemorative Liberty Tree on Friday, April 24, from 4 to 7 p.m.

This free, family-friendly event will feature brief remarks on the history of Liberty Trees and Arbor Day, followed by a ceremonial tree planting at approximately 4:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the preserve’s grounds. No registration is required.

A native white oak (Quercus alba) has been selected as the Liberty Tree for its ecological value and significance in Virginia’s natural heritage. The tree will become the first officially registered Liberty Tree in the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of the National Liberty Tree Project of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The Liberty Tree tradition traces its roots to the American Revolution, when an elm in Boston became a rallying point for the Sons of Liberty in protests against British rule, including opposition to the Stamp Act.

After the British destroyed the original tree, colonists across the 13 colonies designated new Liberty Trees as symbols of hope and freedom. Today, Liberty Trees continue that legacy by promoting environmental stewardship and connecting historic ideals of liberty with the landscapes communities preserve.

The Arbor Day Liberty Tree celebration at Banshee Reeks is part of the statewide VA250 commemoration of America’s 250th birthday, highlighting both historical remembrance and a commitment to a sustainable future. Loudoun County will also host a second Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m. at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Located at 21085 The Woods Road in Leesburg, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is listed on the Loudoun County Heritage Register and designated as a Virginia Treasure. Situated along two miles of Goose Creek, the preserve offers forests, successional fields, ponds, and streams that showcase the natural beauty and ecological diversity of Loudoun County.