Honor your loved ones

A commemorative bench or tree in the Washington Park Arboretum—or a tribute gift—is a thoughtful way to recognize a special person or occasion.

Bench Program Update

Currently, our bench program is on hold until further notice due to shortage of inventory. Posted 1/24/2023

Commemorative Giving Opportunities

All bench and tree gifts are recognized with a dedication page in the permanent Memorial Book, located at the Graham Visitors Center’s reception desk. Both programs also include one year’s complimentary membership in the Arboretum’s leadership giving group, the Arbor Circle.

COMMEMORATIVE TREES

With a gift of $1,000, you may dedicate a tree in the Arboretum in memory or honor of someone. The commemorative tree program adheres to the Arboretum’s collections management plan by maintaining a list of young, healthy, and established trees that may be dedicated. In order to preserve the collections and enjoyment of the park for others, dedicated trees remain unmarked (no plaques or signage). The dedication page in the Memorial Book has the location and a description of the commemorative tree for family and visitors to reference on their visits to the park.

For more information or to see the list of currently available trees, please contact: giving@arboretumfoundation.org. If you are ready to make a gift, please visit our donate page and indicate in the comment box that your gift is for a commemorative tree.

TRIBUTE GIFTS

Gifts of any amount can be made in honor or memory of an individual or group. Tribute gifts are a popular way to make a thoughtful gift while demonstrating your support of the Arboretum. In response to each gift, a personalized card will be sent to the family of the honoree notifying them of your gift. You can designate a gift as a tribute on our donate page.

COMMEMORATIVE BENCHES [Program Currently on Hold]

With a gift of $10,000, you may dedicate a bench in the Arboretum in memory or honor of an individual or group. Bench sites are pre-determined in accordance with the Arboretum’s Master Plan and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The benches are replicas of the 1939 World’s Fair bench, featured in many Olmsted parks, including Central Park in New York City. A small brass plaque will be inscribed with your tribute and then mounted on the bench seat back.