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People often plant trees in woods, gardens and parks as long-lasting and vibrant memorials to celebrate and commemorate friends, relatives and loved ones.

Salisbury is fortunate enough to have many parks and open spaces – with some fantastic views and scenery and many residents and visitors will have a favourite place in or around the city. As such, there are plenty of places in the city where memorial trees are welcome.

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Interested in planting a commemorative tree in one of our parks or open spaces?

View our FAQ’s to find out how
What to do

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.

How much will it cost?

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.

Where do I start with ordering a 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.

When will my tree be planted?

Weather-permitting, we try to plant memorial trees in February, in line with the tree-planting season.

Can I help to plant the tree?

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.

My tree will be in a public park - what happens if it gets damaged?

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.

Future maintenance

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.

Can I have a plaque?

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.

Memorial benches

Alternatively, we can help organise for a memorial bench (with or without a plaque) to be put in one of our parks or open spaces.
Again, please contact us and we will be happy to help and to provide advice.

May I leave tributes at my memorial tree or bench?

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.

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