Please choose between the following three options:
Skip to main menu Skip to site search Continue to current page menu and content
Main page content begins here
The Commemorative Tree Program provides citizens an opportunity to honour loved ones or celebrate special occasions through a commemorative plaque and pedestal displayed near trees in the City’s parks and open spaces.
All charitable donations received from individuals are used by the City of Edmonton (the “City”) for the purpose of enhancing and beautifying parkland and public spaces for the benefit of all Edmontonians.
Commemorative programs provide Edmontonians an opportunity to honour loved ones or celebrate special occasions through a commemorative dedication on a bench or near a newly installed tree. The City of Edmonton currently has three commemorative programs:
All charitable donations received from individuals through the Commemorative Programs are used by the City for the purpose of enhancing and beautifying parkland and public spaces for the benefit of all Edmontonians.
The Commemorative Tree program offers the planting of a new tree in City parks and open spaces. Currently, the following options are available:
All Commemorative Tree plaques and pedestals are displayed for a timeframe of 10 years. During this timeframe, the City is responsible for the maintenance of the tree, plaque and pedestal.
The City will contact the Donor before the end of the Commemoration Period and provide the Donor with the option to submit a Renewal Application to continue to display the plaque under the Commemorative Tree for an additional ten years. An additional charitable donation under the Commemorative Tree program policies and guidelines will be required to renew the dedication at this time. It is the responsibility of the Donor to respond to the City prior to the end of the Commemoration Period. In its sole discretion, the City may consider and accept the request for renewal from a person other than the donor or alternate contact.
If a donor chooses not to renew their commemoration, they may request the plaque as a gift from the City. If the plaque is not claimed, it will be held for a period of one year from the end of the Commemoration Period, after which point it will be recycled. Please note that the plaque removal process may cause slight damages to the plaque itself.
Your inscription will be cast onto an aluminum plaque that is 6” x 3” in size. The plaque itself will be mounted, with two front-facing screws, on a granite pedestal that will be installed in the ground in front of the Commemorative Tree. The inscription can be up to 6 lines with 20 characters of text on each line.
Plaques will be mounted to a granite pedestal with two front-facing screws, painted black to blend in with the background, and installed in the ground in front of the tree.
Please refer to the Commemorative Tree Species Selection list for the available species offered through the program. You will work with an Urban Forester to determine which species is most suitable for the selected location to ensure the long-term success of the tree. Please note that if you would like to request a Commemorative Tree planted near a natural area or naturalized area, a native tree species will be a requirement.
The named Donor in the application form is responsible to provide updated contact information for themselves and for the Alternate Contact in a timely manner to the City at all times through the application process, the Commemoration Period and any renewal period approved by the City. If contact information is out of date, the City will not be able to contact the Donor:
In the event that the City cannot reach the Donor at any time during the Commemoration Period, the City will contact the Alternate Contact listed by the Donor.
Each request is unique, and installation times may vary. Proper parkland change processes and public consultation may be required. Please contact the Commemorative Tree Program Coordinator for more details on the installation timelines specific to your request.
Applications that are received prior to March 31 will be considered for planting in the spring (May-June). Applications that are received prior to July 31 will be considered for planting in the fall (September-October).
Your Commemorative Tree application may not be approved if your chosen location for commemoration is not available or doesn’t get approval from the stakeholders during the circulation process. If the proposed Commemorative Tree location is within view of residences, public consultation will be conducted. It is recommended that you contact the Program Coordinator prior to making the application to discuss the available Commemorative Tree location options.
The City at all times remains the exclusive owner of all trees, plaques and chattels associated with the Commemorative Tree program.
The 10-year Commemoration Period and renewal option that have been introduced to the Commemorative Tree program do not apply to those donations that were made prior to 2018 and that did not have clear program guidelines established.
Commemorative trees installed prior to 2018 will continue to have the commemorative plaque displayed without requiring any renewal donation.
The donation cost includes a new tree, installation of tree, mulch, as well as a pedestal and plaque that will be displayed in front of the tree. All related maintenance over a 10-year period is also included. Prices quoted online are the full cost. There is no GST for Commemorative Tree donations.
The donation can be made via cash, cheque, money order, debit, or credit card. Once the City and Donor have finalized all details of the plaque and dedication, an invoice will be sent to the donor with payment information.
The City will refund the payment, minus the cost of the plaque, if the Donor cancels their Application on or before 14 days after the day on which their payment was received by the City.
Maintenance for trees includes:
Maintenance for trees does not include:
Locations for planting may include public green spaces, such as neighbourhood and city parks, pending approval and circulation of stakeholders. Below are a list of parks that are currently closed for new Commemorative Trees.
Permanently closed for the Commemorative Tree planting program:
Temporarily closed due to construction:
Yes, a tax receipt will be issued by the City to the Donor in the following calendar year in which the donation is received, typically in late February and prior to April. The City will only accept charitable donations to the Commemorative Tree program which are tax deductible under Canada Revenue Agency legislation and guidelines.
Yes, a tax receipt will be issued to all Donors as long as they are listed in the Declaration of True Donor form. Please indicate on your application form if there is more than one donor so that the Program Coordinator can send you the Declaration of True Donor form. The minimum donation amount is $20 if a donor wants to receive a tax receipt.
The City will replace the Commemorative Tree plaque at no cost to the Donor if it becomes damaged or stolen during the Commemoration Period. Donors can report such incidents to the City through 311 or by contacting the Program Coordinator at communityforestry@edmonton.ca.
It is important to note that there is an expected amount of wear and tear that may occur to the pedestal and plaque and thus, replacement will not occur in all scenarios. To discuss damage, please contact the Commemorative Tree Program Coordinator.
Changing the text on an existing commemorative tree plaque is an option that is available for you. The costs associated with a text change is $550 which includes the cost of a new plaque plus the removal and installation of the old and new plaques.
In accordance with the Parkland Bylaw 2202 , Donors are not permitted to spread or deposit cremated ashes on parkland or underneath the tree or pedestal.
Due to safety concerns, Donors are not permitted to be on-site during tree installation, as all on-site personnel are required to complete safety training and have personal protective equipment. All Donors are notified once tree installation has occurred and are encouraged to host a celebration of life after tree planting is complete.
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
|---|
| communityforestry@edmonton.ca |
