Plant a Tree in Memory: Costs, Options & Considerations

It’s never easy to navigate the death of a loved one.  The grieving person often searches for peace while also wanting their loved one’s memory to last longer, giving them and others something to hold on to for years to come.

Sympathy flowers wither away and keepsakes often add clutter. Considering ways to commemorate a life, memorial trees can endure the test of time. In this article, we talk about the cost to plant a tree in memory of others, the options available, and why this is one of the best ways to turn a loss into a lasting celebration of life.

What are the different ways to plant a tree in memory of someone?

Memorial trees are getting more and more popular around the world, as people see the wisdom in creating living tributes to loved ones. There are more ways than one to plant a tree in memory of someone, and we encourage you to check out your options to find the best fit that aligns most with your priorities and budget.

Planting a tree in a yard or other private property  

Some folks like the idea of planting a memorial tree in a backyard or another local place, appreciating the fact that these trees will be closer to home and easy to visit at a moment’s notice. Planting a memorial tree in one's own yard can be an incredibly meaningful way to honor a loved one, especially when the tree's growth can be observed over time.

Personally planting a tree can be a beautiful way to memorialize someone, but this is usually a good option only if prompted directly by a next of kin.  When someone has lost a loved one, sending them a tree they need to plant and care for can actually be a burden to them if they aren't prepared, even though the gift is well meaning.

Planting a memorial tree in a burned National Forest

When looking for a thoughtful way to create a memorial for a loved one or send a sympathy gift, planting memorial trees within National Forests or other public lands is an option that is appreciated by almost everyone.  These trees help restore forest areas that have been burned by wildfire, so the idea of a tree or a grove growing as a memorial tribute is often paticularly touching for grieving people.  

When dedicating a tree in a National Forest as a memorial, there is no burden put on the next of kin or grieving friend, as there is nothing they have to take action on to feel comforted. 

Here are Trees For a Change, we prioritize our memorial tree planting according to which areas are in dire need of rehabilitation due to recent forest fires and other events. We regularly update our forest location information on our website, so gift recipients and gift givers can see baby tree photos, maps of planting locations and get driving directions in case they'd like to visit.

How much does it cost to plant a memorial tree in memory of someone?

Average cost of planting a tree in a yard

If opting to plant a tree yourself in a yard or send an actual tree to someone as a sympathy gift, you'll want to shop around.  On average, a small tree can cost $150-$1850 to plant on private property.  There are online companies that will ship small trees as memorial gifts at reasonable prices, but again it's a good idea to check with the recipient before you send them an actual tree.

You'll want to take into consideration the elevation, climate, long term care requirements and the native species of the area where the tree will be planted.  Consulting a local nursery or landscaping company may be a good idea. 

Average costs of memorial tree planting services in National Forests

If opting for a memorial tree dedication, at Trees For a Change we offer multiple ways for friends, families, and colleagues to plant a tree in honor of their dearly departed. Our packages range from planting one memorial tree that comes complete with a tree card and certificate, planting 5 or more trees to form a grove, which also comes with a card and certificate, planting a tree with only a card, and lastly, we give the option to start a grove and invite others to join.

Through these options, we aim to help those struggling with love and loss find peace either through their own process or together with a group.

Planting a memorial tree starts at $20 per tree, but can be further customized if you want to add more special elements to the tribute. A standard memorial tree comes with a tree card that you can fill up with your own personal message, and it is at $20, while a memorial tree with a tree card and certificate shipped directly to the recipient is at $42. The certificate includes the recipient's name, the contributor’s name, and the year of passing. You also have the option to have it framed in eco-friendly, recycled wood.

If you opt to plant five or more trees to form a memorial grove, this option starts at $82 and also comes with a certificate and card. The final option is to start a collection grove where each person you invite can contribute $10 to plant a tree, and all of these trees will be planted together. This is a popular choice for many families or groups grieving the loss of the same person. It comes with a card printed with messages from all of the contributors and a framed grove certificate detailing the tree count for the next of kin.

Creating a lasting tribute with a grove of trees

Sometimes one tree isn’t enough. We offer the option to plant a grove of trees, which is five or more trees. We also offer the option to start a collective grove where multiple folks can contribute to a larger grove.

Planting a grove is like a gift that keeps on giving. Not only is this option a way to help cover more land area at a given time, but it can also help you get more out of your gift budget.

A single memorial tree gift costs $42, complete with a certificate and personalized card. A memorial grove with five trees, on the other hand, costs $82 total. This option also comes with a certificate and personalized card, and the choice to add more than five trees at a discounted rate of $8 each. 

Group memorial tree planting options

Grieving is never an easy process, but it can be made a little lighter when you have a support system by your side. For those who want to plant memorial trees together with a group, our collective grove is the best option. This allows each person to contribute trees at $10 each and have everyone’s trees planted together.

Through planting in groves, we can help rehabilitate devastated forests at a much faster rate, ensuring that we cover more areas and reach more forests through your continued support, all while helping our loved ones live on in this special way.

What do you receive when you plant trees in honor of a loved one?

Every memorial tree gift given through Trees for a Change, no matter which option, includes:

~The planting of native species trees in a U.S. National Forest burned by wildfire

~A sympathy card with explanation of the tree gift and room for a personal message

~The recipient's name recorded on our Tree Gift Registry, so loved ones can be assured that the trees were planted 

~Online access to baby tree photos, planting location maps, and driving directions so they can visit

~Optional tree update emails in the future to track tree growth

~Free shipping within the U.S.

Where are the memorial trees planted when you order a tree gift?

At Trees For a Change, we are committed to making your memorial trees as meaningful as possible, ensuring that they make a lasting impact to fully honor your loved one while shifting natural habitats for the better, one National Forest at a time.

We prioritize lands devastated by fire, lining up the receiving forests according to where new trees are needed the most. This is the best way we know how to plant those trees, where their life will contribute the most positively, and be a part of a much bigger picture that symbolizes growth, love, and resilience.

How do you choose the right memorial tree planting service?

With multiple memorial tree planting services around, it can be challenging to narrow down which organization to go with. Because these tributes are lasting memories of someone you hold dear, it is important to be careful about who you trust.

Many tree planting companies will take your money, tell you they are planting a tree, and then you'll never hear from them again or get any evidence that your trees were actually planted. 

At Trees for a Change, we try to provide as much information about the trees as possible. A few things that set us apart from other organizations include:

• We add the name of the recipient to our online tree registry, confirming their name in our tree planting records

• We take photos of the baby trees right after they are planted and post them on our website so anyone can see them.

• We strive to visit the tree planting locations at least every 10 years, take tree growth photos, and post them on the website. We also send out tree updates to those who sign up for them. 

• We provide folks with tree planting location maps and directions, making visits to the trees possible.

• We provide excellent customer service

Choosing how to honor a loved one’s memory is a deeply personal decision, and planting a memorial tree offers a beautiful, lasting way to keep their spirit alive. Whether you decide to plant a single tree, dedicate a grove, or come together with others for a collective tribute, each tree becomes part of a larger story of renewal and hope.

With Trees for a Change, you can trust that your memorial is not only meaningful—it’s also making a real difference by helping to restore forests in need. In a world where loss is inevitable, creating life in someone’s honor is a powerful way to heal, remember, and give back to the Earth.