[CANUFNET] Memorial trees and plaques

[Rena Viehbeck]

Good morning Ian,
I run a Commemorative Tree and Bench program here in Thunder Bay, ON.  In regards to the tree portion, it's a cost recovery program where people can pay the full cost of a large-caliper tree to be planted in  a City Park: $500.  They can choose to get an engraved cement or granite plaque to go with it (an additional $248.60 or $412  respectively).  For tree planting in parks this is the main way trees can be planted (the only other option is to apply for a forest re-habilitation planting where the plan and work has to be approved by the City and then seedlings can be planted).  We give people the option of selecting the species of tree from our supplied list of about 30 trees and just about any City park or open space is available to them.  We meet them on site to determine/ agree upon  the exact location, or do it via the use of maps and e-mail if they are out of town.  We generally say that we will replace a tree for up to 3 years if needed but to be honest we are more flexible than that.  I have attached the link to the program here and it provides much more detail if you are interested: http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/recreation_and_parks/Parks/Commemorative_Tree_and_Bench_Program.htm
We get about 10 requests like this per year and maybe half of them choose to have associated plaques.  We  also offer 'donation tax receipts' which is appreciated by many.  This program is a great service in our case as it allows for additional Park tree planting that wouldn't otherwise be affordable for us.
Just a further note.  We don't give the exact date of planting as that is in the hands of our contractor and so if requesting parties want to have a ceremony they can do so an time after it is planted.

Additionally we have a partnership with a local Funeral Home that contributes $10,000/ year towards a Memorial Grove that they use as a means to give back to the community and for families to have their loved ones further recognized.  We have pre-selected a park that we continue to add trees to each year and will be putting up a larger sign regarding the grove next year ( no individual names just the Funeral Home's name and Tree Grove). We have done this so far for 2 years with 20 large caliper trees each year.
Let me know if you have any further questions
Thanks

Rena Viehbeck, ISA Certified Arborist
Urban Forest Program Specialist
Urban Forestry, Parks & Open Spaces Section
City of Thunder Bay
Victoriaville Civic Centre, 111 Syndicate Ave S., Thunder Bay P7E 6S4
T: (807)625-2956
F: (807)625-3258<tel:%28807%29625-3258>
E: rviehbeck at thunderbay.ca<mailto:rviehbeck at thunderbay.ca>
www.thunderbay.ca/urbanforestry<http://www.thunderbay.ca/urbanforestry>
Connect:  www.facebook.com\urbanforestrytbay<http://www.facebook.com/urbanforestrytbay>


From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Ian Wilson
Sent: August-18-16 4:45 PM
To: 'canufnet at list.web.net'
Subject: [CANUFNET] Memorial trees and plaques

Hello
I'm interested in hearing from others who have a memorial/donated tree program with plaques.

In Kelowna, we allow citizens to donate trees for planting in parks, but we don't allow them to have a plaque except at the Cemetery.  There's a few reasons for this, such as maintenance concerns and vandalism. We had a bad experience 15 years ago where some trees with plaques seemed to be a magnet for vandalism, so we stopped offering this.

Do you have a tree donation program?  Do you allow plaques next to donated trees? How much to do charge?

thanks

Ian Wilson
Park Services Manager | City of Kelowna
250-469-8842 | iwilson at kelowna.ca<mailto:iwilson at kelowna.ca>
Connect with the City kelowna.ca/connect<http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page3535.aspx>


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