This month, as a country we get to celebrate Memorial Day. Since May is an important month, we wanted to bring your attention to the awesome trend of planting a Memorial tree in honor of loved ones. Memorial trees are also known as Remembrance trees. They are a beautiful way to recycle the body of the life that passed away into new life. What’s more is the actual tree planting creates a new memory with the people who are there to remember the loved one that has passed.
Memorial trees or Remembrance Trees are not limited to just the death of a loved one. Let’s take a look at all the ways that Memorial Trees are important.
Reasons to plant a memorial tree:
There are a handful of reasons to plant a memorial tree. The most common is for the life of a loved one who passed away. But people also like to remember animals with a tree planting as well as momentous events in their lives. Births, weddings, and a new home purchase, such as the “forever home” for a family are all events for a Memorial tree planting.
Types of trees:
The tree you choose should work for the size of the space of your yard. We don’t recommend choosing an overly massive tree just to make a statement. Floral trees make a nice addition to a yard or garden, but so do evergreens or even large shrubs. Think about who the person was—what was their personality? Did they have a specific tree that they really loved? Or a favorite season they had where you know that the tree you pick will be at its prime? If you’re planting a memorial tree for an event, consider the cost of the tree and planting and add it to the budget of the event.
Common Memorial tree types include:
- Oak
- Maple
- Dogwood
- Weeping Willow
All of these options promote feelings of strength and/or beauty. They live for years to be enjoyed by families for generations. These trees also tend to thrive in a variety of climates and soil conditions making them good options for your Memorial tree choice.
Living Urn:
The Living Urn is a company that allows families to choose to grow a Memorial tree indoors or in a patio. If the idea of a bonsai tree sparks your attention for a Memorial tree, then this could be a good option for you. The Living Urn combines the ashes of a loved one in an urn, with the bonsai tree. This is a good option for mobility, if you move homes. This is also a good option as a very small tree that will live on for hundreds of years. Though small, a bonsai tree can make a statement indoors for you to remember.
Local and National Organizations:
The Trees Remember and A Living Tribute are two organizations that allow you to plant a tree in someone’s honor. These organizations work with conservation groups who plant trees in U.S. National Forests. The Trees Remember and A Living Tribute alternative options as a way to dedicate a tree to a specific person.
Locally, the Penn State Arboritum has an established way to commemorate loved ones. By sponsoring a tree or a bench in the Arboritum, you can give a lasting gift to a loved one. The ashes may not be buried with the tree you choose with one of these large organizations, but the gift will live on for years to come.
Wrapping Up:
To wrap up this short discussion on Memorial trees:
- Memorial trees are not limited to the death of a loved one
- The tree you pick should be personal to the person you are honoring or the event you are remembering
- You may choose to plant a tree in your back yard, or sponsor a tree planting locally or nationally
We hope you learned something new with this awesome trend! Call our team at 814-201-9757 to speak to a certified arborist.
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