Pay tribute to a loved one and help grow the urban forest.

Birmingham TreePeople are able to facilitate commemorative tree planting across the city through the Treemembrance project. You can sponsor a new tree to be planted in honour of any person or occasion and be involved in species and location selection and of course the planting event itself.

Trees can only be planted in locations approved by the land owner/manager which is typically Birmingham City Council. Most Treemembrance trees are planted in Birmingham’s parks and could be stand alone trees or form part of an avenue, copse or hedgerow. Whilst we have a wide range of options for species, we aren’t able to support the planting of trees that will not thrive in their location and we can give guidance on selecting the right tree for the right space and the right reason.

We also need to consider existing local fauna and flora and how the newly planted tree may affect the ecosystem, much like with any of our other tree planting activities. It may be difficult to get permission for planting in areas such as Sutton Park, Woodgate Valley and Lickey Hills where designations are in place to protect and manage local biodiversity.

The establishment of the tree is the responsibility of Birmingham TreePeople in partnership with third parties and forms part of the sponsorship fee. The sponsor is encouraged to also support the tree in its early years through watering, mulching and monitoring and we can provide support and guidance on this. We’re not able to provide plaques or tags and would strongly advise against attaching anything to the tree that may cause damage and the possibility of disease or pests.

See the frequently asked questions below and the Treemembrance terms and conditions for more details.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides where the tree is planted? We work with you to consider potential locations and then seek permissions from the respective landowners and managers. We can’t make any guarantees for locations, but will provide alternative options where possible.

Can I plant in a woodland? Woodlands are generally not the most appropriate places for commemorative trees. Individual trees can easily get lost and so we don’t recommend it. Trees are ideally planted in parks, open spaces, fields or hedgerows.

Can I host a ceremony during the planting? Yes. We’re very happy to support a small ceremony around the planting of the tree.

Can I water the tree? Yes. Ongoing care is strongly encouraged.

Can I prune the tree? We would suggest that any questions of maintenance are brought to us first and we can advise and support.

Who manages the tree in the long term? Initial establishment (3 years post-planting) is the responsibility of Birmingham TreePeople and we use third party providers to support in watering and maintenance. After this period the trees are usually absorbed into the management plans of the landowner/manager.

How much does it cost? We charge £750 which covers the cost of the tree, the planting accessories, the planting and maintenance costs, our core costs and contingency.

Will the tree be listed somewhere? The tree will be plotted on TreePlotter with special recognition as a Treemembrance tree. We will also feature the planting in our newsletter and on our website unless you do not wish for us to do this.

Which species should I select? You can view our recommended species list here. These are trees that we know will do well in Birmingham now, and into the future.

When can I plant the tree? Trees are best planted in the winter months (typically between November and February) and so we would always plant the tree within this period.

What happens if the tree dies? If the tree struggles to establish due to horticulture reasons, Birmingham TreePeople will replace it at no extra charge. If the tree dies for another reason we will do our best to find a solution for replacement but cannot guarantee anything.

I have more questions, can I speak to somebody? Yes. Please email: treemembrance@birminghamtreepeople.org.uk