Memorial Forest
ANNUAL TREE DEDICATION:
Memorial Forest Grove, Arboretum,
University of Guelph
A recording of this year’s Tree Dedication has been posted below.
You are invited to visit the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest and Walking Trail at the University of Guelph Arboretum all year round.
- Parking at intersection of East Ring Rd. and Arboretum Rd. (7-10 minute walk to Grove).
- If visiting the Arboretum, wear comfortable shoes.
Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program
The Wall-Custance Memorial Forest program provides an opportunity to commemorate the life of a loved one in a special way; by planting a tree — a living memorial. A memorial tree serves as a source of comfort and meaning to those who have suffered a loss and helps to ease them through a difficult time. As a life ends, a new life begins. This program is not restricted to those served by the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel. Everyone is invited to participate.
LOCATION
Google Map: Search Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Trail
The Wall-Custance Memorial Forest is prominently located at The Arboretum at the University of Guelph. The Memorial Forest Dedication Grove can be found off of Arboretum Rd., just down from Alumni House. You can enter from the intersection of East Ring Rd. and Arboretum Rd.
HISTORY
The program began January 1st, 1989 and has grown with each passing year. The Wall-Custance Memorial Forest was established in recognition of the severe depletion of our forests. This program is a small part of the major endeavor of reforestation, reducing the green-house effect, improving air quality and providing food and shelter for birds and wildlife. The Memorial Forest Program not only pays tribute to the memory of one who has passed; it assures a better environment for generations to come.
PLANTING A TREE
The planting of a tree is arranged through the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel. As part of this lasting tribute, the family of the deceased receives a notification acknowledging that a tree will be planted in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest in memory of their loved one.
The trees planted in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest are part of a natural forest growth. The species and location of the trees planted is determined solely by the staff of The Arboretum based upon greatest need and are planted throughout the year. The native character of the forest is maintained, including such local species as maple, ash, cherry, birch, elm, oak, cedar, tamarack, spruce, hemlock and pine.
The trees are not individually marked. All names appear on one large annual plaque in the dedication grove.
The name of the deceased is also presented on the Memorial Forest Wall at the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel, added to the Memorial Forest listings on the Wall-Custance website. Trees may be planted through this program regardless of the time elapsed since the death, where the death occurred or where the service was held. Multiple trees can be planted in memory of one person and single trees can be planted in memory of multiple people.
COST:
The current cost to have a tree planted is $75.00 (as of Jan. 1, 2021). The cost is for the tree only. Wall Custance covers all costs related to the maintenance and development of the program.
Trees can be ordered in the following ways:
Online: www.wallcustance.com
By Phone: 519-822-0051
In Person: With cash or a cheque made payable to the UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Payment, along with the name(s) of the individual(s) in whose memory the tree is being planted and the name of the individual who is to receive the notification should be forwarded to the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel for processing. A tax receipt will be issued by the University of Guelph.
There is no charge for a Memorial Tree to those families who entrust the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel with their arrangements. We plant a tree in memory of every person we serve with arrangements.
TREE DEDICATION
The annual tree dedication represents each tree that was dedicated in memory of our loved ones between September 1-August 31. A temporary plaque is placed in the Memorial Forest Dedication Grove on the third weekend of September. You are welcome to come for a walk to view the temporary plaque. The permanent plaque is usually in place by December.
We hope that the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest program will continue for many years to come and that the solace that nature offers, particularly in the depths of a living forest, will be of comfort and benefit to all.
Memorial Tree Donations in Memory of ...
Use our search tool to find memorial trees planted for loved ones, by name or by year.
Please note: The date which accompanies the name refers to the date the tree was dedicated.
Memorial Tree Dedications
Between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023
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