Planting memories: Honouring loved ones through memorial trees

A family’s story: Trees for mum and dad

Melanie’s father, a dedicated environmentalist and an early member of Abingdon Carbon Cutters, was passionate about trees and the outdoors. He lived a full life, enjoying the changing seasons and sharing his love of nature with his family, often visiting their favourite spot, Wittenham Clumps. After his passing during the Covid pandemic, Melanie and her siblings found solace in planting his ashes beneath a memorial tree with Earth Trust. As she reflected on the decision, she shared how important it was to honour their father’s wish to not “take up the land of the living.” A memorial tree felt like the perfect tribute, allowing his legacy to live on through nature.

The memorial tree planting in Little Wittenham Woods turned out to be a beautiful and peaceful day. “The sun shone despite it being a cold winter day,” Melanie recalls. The family kept the gathering small – just Melanie, her brother, sister, and their partners. They planted their father’s ashes beneath the tree and read his favourite poem, “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer, a piece he had memorised in school and could recite until his final days.

“It is a cherished memory,” Melanie shared, reflecting on the tranquillity of the moment, surrounded only by the sounds of birds as they honoured their father. For her family, knowing that their father’s ashes had become part of something living and vital gave them great comfort. The ability to return and visit the tree as it grows, especially with their children and grandchildren, has created a lasting connection between their family, their father, and the natural world he loved so much.

In a few weeks, Melanie and her family will return to plant a tree for their mother in the same woodland, continuing this tradition of creating living, breathing tributes that not only honour their parents but also contribute to the preservation of the environment they held dear.

A living memorial

Little Wittenham Woods, where Melanie’s family planted their memorial trees, is one of our most serene and biodiverse areas. It provides a haven for bats, dragonflies, woodland birds, and is home to one of the largest populations of great crested newts in the UK. Conservation is at the heart of how we manage this woodland, and we use native hazel trees for memorial plantings. Hazel trees are not only well-suited to the UK but can also be coppiced to allow light to reach the woodland floor, creating sunny glades where butterflies and other wildlife thrive.

For Melanie and her family, knowing that their parents’ trees will play a role in supporting this thriving ecosystem has brought immense comfort. “The fact that actually his end is but a beginning for new tree life is so vital in this changing climate,” Melanie expressed. It has also helped them keep their father’s memory alive, as they regularly visit the tree to witness its growth.

A legacy for the future

Each memorial tree planted at Earth Trust is carefully recorded, allowing families to return and see how the tree grows and contributes to the woodland ecosystem. Many find comfort in witnessing their tree flourish, knowing that it helps preserve nature and build a better future for generations to come.

If you would like to plant a tree in memory of a loved one, please visit our Trees in Memory page or contact us at 01865 407792 for more information.

We’re always moved by the stories people share about their connections to the green spaces we care for. If you have a special place you’d like to tell us about, we’d love to hear your story at [email protected].

A heartfelt thank you to Melanie Pickett and her family for sharing their journey with us. Their story reminds us of the deep and lasting connections we form with both nature and our loved ones.