A tree for every memory

Births, deaths, weddings or jubilees are great occasions for planting trees. A tree is a lasting reminder and creates a place where memories can come flooding back. People sometimes select a tree for the symbolism it represents. For instance, a tree’s growth, the influences to which it is exposed and the living environment it offers birds, insects and other organisms, make it a metaphor for life itself.

Different tree personalities

As trees each have their own distinctive personalities, it is possible to find a commemorative tree to suit each person or occasion. Some species are robust, while others have a lighter crown making them more transparent. There are also lots of different colours to choose from. Leaf colours vary from yellow or dark green through to purplish red, and there are species with lavish autumn hues. For people who love flowers, there are exuberant blossoming species as well as ones with a more understated, delicate inflorescence.
To provide you with some inspiration, we have compiled a collection of trees with a range of characteristics and sizes.

Large commemorative trees

Trees in the first size category grow taller than 12 metres and have the potential to become very old. If you give them space, people will be able to enjoy them for generations to come. They make a beautiful legacy.

•   Tilia cordata ‘Savaria’
This lime tree has a heart-shaped leaf and is full of life. Bees and other pollinators love Tilia. Planting a lime tree is the perfect way to mark the occasion of a birth.
•   Quercus coccinea ‘Splendens’
A lesser-known, robust oak with a striking orange-red autumn colour. This is a lovely commemorative tree that can live for centuries.
•   Quercus hispanica ‘Fulhamensis’
An evergreen oak that is ideally suited to the Western European climate. A steady evergreen with beautifully serrated leaves.
•   Fagus sylvatica ‘Black Swan’
Although a red weeping beech requires a lot of space, it will adorn any large garden or park. A place for contemplation.
•   Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’
The fern beech is an exclusive species of beech with a deeply dissected, elegant leaf. Unwavering and refined.
•   Sequoiadendron giganteum
The giant sequoia is a monumental evergreen; one of the world’s largest tree species that can grow up to 40 metres tall in Europe.
•   Sequoia sempervirens ‘Winter Blue’
Another giant! This evergreen conifer is in fact green-blue. In winter their colour becomes more intense and more blue than green. A magnificent tree for those with the space.
•   Juglans regia
A walnut tree produces the gift of an annual harvest. It is the very symbol of a fertile life.
•   Zelkova carpinifolia ‘Verschafeltii’
Although related to the elm, Zelkova is not very common. ‘Verschafeltii’ is a distinctive tree with elegant foliage. The intricate branching of this species gives it a beautiful winter silhouette.

Medium-sized commemorative trees

Trees in the second size category eventually grow to between 6 and 12 metres tall. Lots of species are also available as multi-stemmed or shrub-shaped trees.

•   Prunus ‘The Bride’
A commemorative tree that is an appropriate reminder of a wedding. In spring, this ornamental cherry is filled from top to bottom with white blossom.
•   Magnolia ‘Heaven Scent‘
After the dark winter, the Magnolia heralds spring.
•   Davidia involucrata
The pocket handkerchief tree is also called the dove-tree; a species with a smile and a tear. The characteristic white flowering, which is reminiscent of handkerchiefs or doves, is highly distinctive. Bear in mind that this tree only flowers slightly later on in life.
•   Parrotia persica ‘Bella’
The Persian ironwood is a colourful tree. In autumn, this species displays a plethora of reds, oranges, yellows and purples. The exfoliating bark creates a striking trunk.
•   Styphnolobium japonicum
The bee-bee tree is a grateful tree with a lot to offer. The blossom is a late-summer feast for the bees. The pinnate leaves and green twigs are of particularly decorative value.

Commemorative trees for small-scale locations

There are also commemorative trees for small domestic or public gardens. The trees below take up very little space indeed.

•   Hamamelis intermedia ‘Pallida’
Although witch-hazels are usually shrubs, they are also available as small trees. They are exceptional due to their delicate winter inflorescence and thick, finely-haired leaf that appears in the spring.
•   Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood'
The Japanese maple is a small, very slow-growing species with purple, palmate leaves and very intricate branching. In autumn, the foliage turns an intensely dark red before dropping off.
•   Euptelea pleiosperma
Euptlea is an often multi-stemmed tree originally from China. The decorative, winged fruits it develops are striking. This species also turns a lovely red in autumn, depending on its location and the weather.
•   Heptacodium miconoides
The striking features of the seven-son flower tree are its warmly coloured, light bark and dark reddish-pink, late-summer blossom. It’s a veritable bee magnet for people who love life and living.

Trees for this application