Blake Shelton, the country music icon with a career spanning over two decades, has always been a man of deep roots and heartfelt gestures. Known for hits like “God’s Country” and “Honey Bee,” as well as his role as a coach on The Voice for 23 seasons, Shelton has built a legacy that blends chart-topping success with an unwavering commitment to family. On May 28, 2025, at his sprawling Ten Point Ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Shelton added a new chapter to his story of love and legacy. To celebrate the news of his wife Gwen Stefani’s pregnancy—their fourth child together—Shelton planted a mighty oak tree on the property, with plans to carve the baby’s name into its trunk once the child is born. This touching act, rooted in tradition and hope, reflects Shelton’s deep connection to the land, his family, and the future he’s building with Stefani.
A New Beginning at Ten Point Ranch
Ten Point Ranch, a 1,300-acre expanse in Tishomingo, has long been Shelton’s sanctuary—a place where he escapes the chaos of fame to reconnect with nature and his loved ones. The ranch, which he purchased in 2012, is home to cattle, horses, and a variety of wildlife, as well as Ole Red Tishomingo, the first location of Shelton’s restaurant and entertainment chain, which opened in 2017. It’s also where Shelton and Stefani, who married in July 2021, have created a life together with Stefani’s three sons from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale: Kingston, 19, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11. The couple, who met on the set of The Voice in 2014, have often spoken about the ranch as their “happy place,” a retreat where they can raise their family away from the Hollywood spotlight.
On the morning of May 28, 2025, Shelton gathered his family for a special moment at the ranch. Stefani, now 55, had recently confirmed her pregnancy, a joyful surprise that came after years of speculation about whether the couple would expand their family. The news, which they shared privately with close friends and family, marked a new chapter for the couple, who have navigated the challenges of blending their families with grace and love. To honor this milestone, Shelton decided to plant a tree—a tradition he had long wanted to start for his growing family. “I’ve always believed in putting down roots, literally and figuratively,” Shelton told People magazine in an exclusive interview. “This oak tree is for our new baby—a symbol of strength, growth, and the life we’re building together.”
The tree-planting ceremony was a family affair, held on a sunny spring morning at the ranch. Shelton, dressed in his usual plaid shirt and jeans, worked alongside his step-sons to dig a hole for the oak sapling, which stood about 10 feet tall and was sourced from a local nursery known for its heritage trees. Stefani, glowing in a flowing white dress, watched with a smile, occasionally offering words of encouragement as the boys took turns shoveling dirt. “It was such a sweet moment,” Stefani shared in a post on Instagram, where she shared a photo of the family gathered around the newly planted tree. “Blake wanted something that would last, something our child could see one day and know how much we loved them even before they were born.”
The Symbolism of the Oak Tree
Shelton’s choice of an oak tree was deeply intentional. Known for its strength, longevity, and resilience, the oak is a fitting symbol for a family that has weathered its share of challenges. Shelton and Stefani’s relationship began in 2015, a year after both had gone through high-profile divorces—Shelton from Miranda Lambert, and Stefani from Rossdale. Their bond, forged through shared experiences on The Voice, blossomed into a love story that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Over the years, they’ve faced public scrutiny, the pressures of fame, and the complexities of raising a blended family, but their love has remained steadfast, much like the oak tree now standing on their ranch.
“I wanted a tree that would still be here in a hundred years,” Shelton explained to People. “Oaks are strong—they can withstand storms, droughts, whatever life throws at them. That’s what I want for our family, and for this new baby.” The oak, which can live for centuries and grow to heights of over 100 feet, is also a nod to Shelton’s Oklahoma roots, where such trees dot the landscape, providing shade and shelter for generations. By planting it at Ten Point Ranch, Shelton is ensuring that his child will have a tangible connection to the land he holds dear—a place where he hopes they’ll grow up exploring, just as he did as a boy in Ada, Oklahoma.
The plan to carve the baby’s name into the trunk once they’re born adds a personal touch to the gesture. Shelton, who has often spoken about the importance of family traditions, sees this as a way to mark the child’s arrival in a meaningful way. “We’ll wait until the baby’s here, and then we’ll carve their name right into the bark,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “It’ll be something they can look at when they’re older, a reminder of how much they were loved from the very beginning.” Stefani, who has embraced Shelton’s rural lifestyle since moving part-time to Oklahoma, added, “It’s so Blake—simple, but so beautiful. I can’t wait to see our baby’s name on that tree.”
A Growing Family and a Shared Legacy
The pregnancy announcement, though kept low-key, has sparked excitement among fans who have followed Shelton and Stefani’s journey since they went public with their relationship in 2015. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary in July 2025, have been open about their desire to grow their family, though they’ve also acknowledged the challenges of conceiving at Stefani’s age. In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Stefani, then 53, spoke candidly about her hopes, saying, “I pray about it all the time, but it’s in God’s hands. If it happens, it’ll be a miracle.” That miracle came to fruition in early 2025, with the couple learning they were expecting their first biological child together.
Shelton, who has been a devoted stepfather to Stefani’s sons, has often spoken about how fatherhood has changed him. In a May 2025 interview with Today, he reflected on his role, saying, “When people say it’s not about you anymore when you have a kid… if you’re doing it right, it’s not about you anymore.” His step-sons, who call him “Dad,” have been a central part of his life since he and Stefani began dating, and he’s been actively involved in their upbringing, from attending school events to teaching them how to fish at the ranch. The arrival of a new sibling has brought the boys closer together, with Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo eagerly helping with the tree-planting ceremony and brainstorming names for their new brother or sister.
For Stefani, the pregnancy is a testament to the love she and Shelton share. “Blake has brought so much joy into my life,” she told People. “This baby is a gift, a new beginning for all of us.” The couple has chosen to keep the baby’s gender a surprise, adding to the anticipation as they prepare for the birth, expected in late summer 2025. They’ve already begun setting up a nursery at the ranch, with Stefani incorporating her signature style—think bohemian touches and pops of color—while Shelton ensures there’s a rocking chair where he can sing lullabies to the baby.
A Tradition Rooted in Love
The oak tree isn’t the first time Shelton has used nature to mark a milestone in his relationship with Stefani. In 2021, after their wedding at the ranch, he built a small chapel on the property where they exchanged vows, complete with a cross made from wood sourced from the land. The chapel, which overlooks a pond, has become a sacred space for the family, a place where they often gather for quiet moments of reflection. The oak tree, planted just a short walk from the chapel, adds to this legacy of love, creating a landscape filled with symbols of their journey together.
Shelton’s decision to plant a tree also reflects his deep connection to Oklahoma, where traditions like these are a way of life. Growing up in Ada, he spent countless hours outdoors, hunting, fishing, and exploring the woods with his brother Richie, who tragically passed away in 1990 at the age of 24. Those experiences shaped Shelton’s love for the land, which he now shares with his family. “I want my kids to grow up knowing where they come from,” he said in a 2024 interview with Country Living. “This ranch, this tree—it’s all part of that.”
Fans have taken to social media to celebrate the couple’s news, with many praising Shelton’s thoughtful gesture. “Blake planting an oak tree for Gwen’s pregnancy is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard,” one user wrote on X, using the hashtag #SheltonBaby. Another added, “That tree is going to be so special when their baby’s name is carved into it. Love this family! 🌳” The sentiment reflects the public’s enduring affection for Shelton and Stefani, whose love story has become a beacon of hope for blended families everywhere.
Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Promise
As Shelton and Stefani await the arrival of their child, they continue to balance their busy careers with family life. Shelton is preparing for his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, set to debut in February 2026, following the release of his latest album, For Recreational Use Only, on May 9, 2025. The album, featuring hits like “Pour Me a Drink” with Post Malone, has already climbed the charts, proving that Shelton’s star power remains as strong as ever. Stefani, meanwhile, is working on new music of her own, with plans for a No Doubt reunion tour in late 2025, a project she’s balancing with her pregnancy.
But for now, their focus is on the oak tree and the new life it represents. On May 28, 2025, as Shelton stood back to admire the newly planted sapling, he wrapped an arm around Stefani, their boys gathered close. “This tree is just the beginning,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “It’s going to grow right alongside our baby, a reminder of this moment and all the love we have for them.” As the oak takes root at Ten Point Ranch, so too does the legacy of a family bound by love, tradition, and the promise of a bright future—a future that will soon include a new name carved into its sturdy trunk. 🌳
