If someone you care about has died, you may be searching for a way to express your love for that person. An idea that many people are embracing is planting a tree as a memorial. A memorial tree is a beautiful and lasting way to honor a loved one. It will also benefit the environment for many years to come.

One of the first decisions is where to place a memorial tree. Some people choose to plant a tree on their own property. Others decide to donate a tree to a public area, such as a park or forest.

Planting your own tree

Putting a memorial tree in your yard gives you the most options about tree choice and placement. You can also include an engraved plaque or stone near it to commemorate your loved one.

When selecting a tree, choose one that will grow well in your climate, live a long time and be attractive across its life span. A local arborist can give you advice about good choices.

There are some potential drawbacks to planting a tree in your yard:

• You are responsible for upkeep. Trees need tending, especially in the first few years. A tree may need a lot of water, which in some areas can be expensive. As it ages, it may need to be trimmed to keep a nice shape, and it may need to be sprayed for pests.
• Trees aren't portable. If you move, there's no guarantee the future owners of your property will take care of the tree. It could even be cut down.

For these reasons, some people prefer to donate a memorial tree in a public space.

Donating a tree

You may be able to donate a memorial tree to a park or other public space. Many cities and states have memorial tree programs, but the details differ from place to place. Some place a memorial plaque or marker near the tree. Others list the names of those honored on a plaque kept in a central place, such as a parks office.

The cost of memorial trees can vary widely. For example:

• It costs $125 to have a tree planted in a park in St. Louis, Missouri.
• For $250 you can have a commemorative plaque put on an existing street tree in Santa Barbara, California.
• Having a tree planted in a Boston city park ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.

Another option is to make a donation to plant trees in national forests. Many environmental and nature groups plant trees in forests to help them recover from fire and other disasters. For example, for a $10 donation, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant 10 pine trees in a national forest.

To learn more about memorial trees:

• Contact your city or state parks or forestry department.
• Call a local garden or horticultural society.
• Check with nonprofit groups that focus on reforestation, such as the Arbor Day Foundation and TreePeople.