Standing the test of time: Plants and trees that were planted as memorials around a world that remain as lasting testaments. |
Posted: April 18, 2019 |
Planting memorial or bereavement trees is a wonderful way to remember a loved one.With their long lifespans and universal symbolism, trees of all sizes have a special place in the hearts of people and communities around the world, and have become markers of the passage of time. We have found a few trees that were planted as memorials around the world and that still remain today as lasting testaments and living pieces of history. THE ASHBRITTLE YEW This rambling seven-trunked yew tree grows in the small village of Ashbrittle in England and keeps a watchful eye on the St. John the Baptist churchyard. It is thought to be around 4000 years old, which means it was already old when Stonehenge was built. Locals believe a pre-Christian chief from the area is buried underneath the mound of earth the tree grows on and was planted all those years ago as a memorial to this individual. JAYA SRI MAHA BODHI This beautiful tree in Sri Lanka is said to be a branch of the sacred fig tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment and was originally carried to the area in the 3rd century BC by Jaya Sri Maha, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. This Ficus religiosa tree is one of oldest trees with a known planting dateand is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhistsaround the world. 9/11 survivor tree An incredible symbol of survival, a Callery pear tree was found in the rubble after 9/11, its trunk badly damaged and its upper branches broken, with only one branch still alive. The NYC Parks Department decided to give this tree a chance, and with lots of care and attention at a Bronx nursery, it recovered. In 2010, the so-called “Survivor Tree” was planted at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Other trees that survived natural and man-made disasters to become symbols of hope and courage include an elm tree that survived the 1995 Oklahoma City's bombing, a bonsai that survived Hiroshima and was later given to the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. and a pine tree that survived the 2011 tsunami in Japan. Eumundi War Memorial Trees The Eumundi War Memorial Trees were planted during and after the First World War in the town of Eumundi on the Sunshine coast of Australia to honour the twenty men who did not return from the war, with each tree representing a specific fallen serviceman. Planted along two streets, they continue to be very significant to the local community. Pukeahupohutukawa trees If you take a walk around Pukeahuin Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, you will notice the many magnificent pohutukawa trees growing on the hill. These trees, which are bursting with stunning red flowers in summer, were planted there at the National War Memorial Carillon with a specific purpose and with a great deal of foresight. Before 1932, Pukeahu was a barren hill and immediately following both world wars many young pohutukawatrees were planted to recognise those who lost their lives, becoming the living memorial thousands of people can enjoy today.
If you are wanting to give a tree as a bereavement gift here are some common trees that have strong symbolism attached to them:
Giving a plant or tree as a bereavement gift, either to be kept indoors or planted in a garden, is a wonderful way to show how much you care and can become a living testament or memorial to the one that has passed. Trees can be gifted either directly or be planted as part of outreach projects around the world in areas where efforts are being made to replant and regrow.
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