If you have questions about how to plant memorial trees, we've created a running list of answers to some of the most common questions that we hear from families:
Helpful Tip: if need help with purchasing a memorial tree in honor of our loved one, please read our 'how to' guide.
Question: Who exactly plants the memorial trees?
Answer: We partner with Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to offer this memorialization option for your loved ones. They're scaling their efforts to plant 500 million more trees by 2027 in areas where they're needed most.
Once their team receives a request from a family member, they work on planting memorial trees in the forest project area that was specified.
Question: Will I know the specific location of the memorial trees that I requested to be planted?
Answer: Your memorial tree saplings will be planted in the forest project location that you specified. However, you will not receive an exact location of where in the forest those memorial trees are planted. Arbor Day Foundation provides a registry where you can check the status of your loved one's memorial trees:
View Arbor Day Foundation's Registry Here
Question: For memorial trees, does Arbor Day Foundation plant tree seeds or seedlings?
Answer: Arbor Day Foundation plants tree seedlings, not tree seeds. Seedlings are young trees (already grown plants) with a diameter of 1 to 5 inches at a point that is 4.5 feet from the ground.
Question: How do I know that the tree survives over time?
Answer: After your memorial tree saplings are planted, Arbor Day Foundation returns to the forest and checks on your trees for 3 years to ensure that the memorial trees are on pace to survive.
Question: What species of trees are planted?
Answer: Our planting partners select and plant trees native to the specific area. Tree species selected will differ for various projects but will always be native, non-invasive species. Most forest lands are in need of native evergreens that were lost due to wildfires or other natural disasters.
Question: When will I know that my memorial tree is planted?
Answer: You will not be notified exactly when your memorial tree is planted. However, Arbor Day Foundation will plant your memorial tree (or trees) within 30 days, unless it's around wintertime. Arbor Day Foundation provides a registry where you can check the status of your loved one's memorial trees:
View Arbor Day Foundation's Registry Here
Question: Will I receive a picture of the memorial trees that I contributed in honor of my loved one?
Answer: Because Arbor Day plants and distributes approximately 10 million trees per year, they're unable to provide photos of every tree. However, you will receive a Planting of Tree Certificate that you can frame as a keepsake.
Question: Will there be a plaque or sign by my tree(s)?
Answer: There will not be a physical sign or plaque next to the tree. However, Memorial Trees are formally documented on our online tree registry at arborday.org/registry (updated monthly).
Question: Can I visit my loved one's tree?
Answer: Trees are planted in areas where reforestation efforts are actively taking place and may be difficult to traverse without risk of injury. Additionally, there are no signs identifying particular Memorial Trees, so it would be hard to locate a specific tree. Therefore, attempting to visit the exact location of your loved one's tree is not advisable.
Question: Can I plant/purchase more than 50 memorial trees?
Answer: Yes, you can plant as many memorial trees as you'd like. However, you can only purchase 50 memorial trees at a time, so you'll be required to follow the same process on your loved one's Remember Page to buy any additional trees.
Question: Can I purchase flowers and memorial trees?
Answer: Yes, you can purchase both flowers and memorial trees through your loved one's Remember Page.
Question: Will more forest project locations be added in the future?
Answer: Yes! Through our partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, we're in consistent communication about adding additional forest project options for the families that we serve.
Question: Are donations made to the Arbor Day Foundation tax-deductible?
Answer: Since the Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, there’s a good chance your monetary donations are tax-deductible, but we recommend that you consult your tax professional to be sure.