Memorial Trees
and Benches

If you are interested in planting a commemorative tree in one of our parks or open spaces then please call us on 01722 342860 or send an email to parks@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk telling us where you would like a tree planted.

If you also know what sort of tree you hope to have planted then tell us this too and we’ll check that it’s suitable for the location you’ve identified.

If you’re not sure about the type of tree you might like, you may want to consider what sort of qualities you’d like in your tree – you might want a fruit-bearing tree, for example, or perhaps a tree that offers winter colour.

We can discuss what you’d like, helping to decide on the best planting locations as well as providing advice on the most suitable tree for a particular park or space.

The price of your tree will vary depending on the type and the size, but you could expect to pay between £50 and £100 for a suitably-sized tree.

Charges for commemorative trees will reflect the direct costs of the tree and its delivery. You will not be charged for the planting of the tree.

Call us or send us an email. After we’ve agreed on where to plant your tree and what sort of tree to plant, we normally organise everything else.

This means that we’ll source your tree, and arrange for its delivery. We do this in order to be satisfied about the quality of the tree to be planted.

We will always confirm the cost of your tree before we place an order; at your request we can also provide you with copies of the prices we were quoted.

Weather permitting, we start planting memorial trees in December, in line with the tree planting season.

We normally plant the tree on your behalf – this ensures that we are happy with how the tree has been planted.

If you would like to be present when we plant the tree please let us know and we will try our best to arrange this.

We’re always hopeful that your planted tree will remain undisturbed to old age, but this cannot be guaranteed.

In the event that a memorial tree is damaged we will happily discuss replacing the tree, but this remains at our discretion.

Please note that Salisbury City Council will not accept responsibility or liability in respect of any damage to or loss of a memorial tree unless this is reasonably shown to be due to negligence of the Council.

If you notice any problems with your tree please contact us immediately, since it may be that you notice a problem before we do.

Dedication of a memorial tree does not give the donor any right to determine or influence its future management in any way, but….we are accepting responsibility for the care of your tree and we will do everything we can to ensure the proper maintenance and special care of your tree for many years.

We can arrange for a commemorative plaque to be placed next to your tree. The price of a plaque will vary depending on the materials used and the size of the plaque. Again, we would be happy to provide advice and to arrange for the plaque to be made.

Please note that the ongoing maintenance of the plaque is the responsibility of the donor, unless the city council are at fault.

Alternatively, we can help arrange a memorial bench (with or without a plaque) to be put in one of our parks or open spaces.

A memorial bench or plaque is a special way to honour a loved one or commemorate a special event. If you are looking to create a memorial, you can apply to donate a memorial bench in one of our parks or open spaces.

You have the option of adding a plaque to the bench in dedication. Plaques can also be placed on existing benches, where we have availablilty.

We have two types of memorial benches. Each is weather resistant and long lasting, made using environmentally friendly recycled materials, with vandal-resistant designs. Prices for benches start at £990 excl. VAT. Prices for plaques start at £102 excl. VAT. Prices are inclusive of delivery and installation.

Download the Memorial Bench Brochure

Please email our Streetscene Officers at streetscene@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk who will be happy to help and provide advice.

Salisbury City Council understand that donors of trees and benches may want to leave tributes when they are planted/installed and then on anniversaries and other dates of significance.

Trees and benches are likely to be in public spaces so we ask that the following guidelines are observed:

• All tributes are considered temporary, apart from tree plaques and bench plaques which will be organised through Parks Officers.
• Cellophane is removed from flowers.
• Plastic tributes should be avoided.
• Glass (or fragile) vases or tributes shouldn’t be left.
• Tributes on benches should be placed so that the bench can be used by members of the public.
• Tributes on young trees should be laid on the ground or tied to the cage/stake, not to the tree itself.
• All tributes will be removed by our grounds team when they begin to disintegrate, or after two weeks (whichever comes first). It is preferable that the donor removes items themselves.
• Tree plaques can be organised through Parks Officers; if supplied by the donor the text should be suitable for a public space and shown to a Parks Officer before installation. The size and material of the plaque also needs to be approved. All memorial tree plaques remain the property of the donor and any routine maintenance or refurbishment is the donor’s responsibility. Parks Officers can assist with this if appropriate.
• It may be possible for the donor to plant some blubs around the base of a tree, but this should be discussed with a Parks Officer in advance.
• Ashes may be planted with a tree or scattered by arrangement.