Lt. Governor Tressel, ODNR celebrate Ohio State football national championship with buckeye tree planting

Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz joined Ohio State University Athletics Director Ross Bjork and members of the Ohio State football team to celebrate their recent national championship victory with a tree planting ceremony.

During the event, players and community members came together to plant an Ohio buckeye tree at Natural Resources Park at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds.

“I am so proud of the Ohio State Football team and their amazing journey to win the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff national championship earlier this year,” said Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. “Players, coaches and the entire staff are role models to so many here in the Buckeye State, and this tree celebrates the commitment, hard work, and resiliency this group displayed on their journey to the national championship.”

The Ohio buckeye tree is an important symbol to both the State of Ohio and Ohio State University. It was named the state tree of Ohio in 1953, and the buckeye nut is Ohio State’s mascot. Buckeye trees can be found throughout Ohio, though they are most abundant in the western half of the state.

“Planting this tree at Natural Resources Park is the perfect way to commemorate this historic season for Ohio State football and it allows visitors to celebrate that win, too,” said Director Mertz. “I can’t wait for the 2025 Ohio State Fair, when people from across the state can visit the park and see what we’ve planted here.”

“I’d like to thank Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio State Parks for their efforts to honor the 2025 College Football Playoff national champions with a Buckeye tree,” said Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Director of Athletics. “This will be a wonderful, long-lasting, and fun way to memorialize our national champions at Natural Resources Park on the Ohio State Fairgrounds, a location that is a next-door neighbor to The Ohio State University.”

Visitors can check out the new Ohio buckeye tree during the 2025 Ohio State Fair as well as other events that take place at Natural Resources Park throughout the year.

ODNR is committed to planting trees across the entire state and has a goal to plant 250,000 trees in Ohio by 2026 as part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.