Planting trees for loved ones who lost their lives during the pandemic
Creating dedicated places to commemorate someone special for generations to come
People across the UK are planting trees and creating dedicated spaces at home or in the community to remember and celebrate the lives of friends and family. Ten RHS members and community gardeners share their stories of loved ones lost during the pandemic and what their dedication means to them.
Caroline’s story
The Freeman maple dedicated to Val Knight in autumn colour, September 2023
Val Knight (pictured) in whose memory the tree was planted
“I knew Val firstly as the teacher of my two children, then later as a friend and teaching colleague. She loved walking in the local area, photographing trees and wildlife,” said Caroline.
Val passed away from Covid in April 2020, in the early days of the pandemic when only her immediate family were able to attend the funeral. This left the community of Shiplake and Binfield Heath wondering how they could remember her.
“In early 2021, I saw the ‘Roots of remembrance’ initiative mentioned in The Garden magazine, and this sparked the idea to plant a tree in memory of Val. We eventually planted the tree on 17 January 2022 at Shiplake Memorial Hall,” added Caroline.
“We chose an Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’ as although we have many beautiful, both mature and young, trees in the Hall grounds we didn’t have any that turned a brilliant red in the autumn. Val’s family visit the commemorative tree and bench at Shiplake Memorial Hall a couple of times a year, normally in April, close to Val’s birthday and her death, and again in October, when the tree is a blaze of fabulous red leaves.”
Jan’s story
The apple tree Jan Lawson has dedicated to his dad Robert
A new flower bed created as a memorial tribute to Robert Lawson using cuttings from his garden
“When I was growing up, there were a couple of apple and pear trees in my parent’s garden that we used to climb and collect fruit from. I planted the tree in my three quarters of an acre garden, and every time I visit, I think of him and say “hello Robert,” said Jan.
“My father wasn’t a plantsman but he loved his garden, especially the dahlias. He was always making garden improvements and visited garden centres regularly,” added Jan.
Linda’s story
Linda Pugh has buried her husband Stan’s ashes beneath a Japanese acer in her back garden
“Stan was mostly concerned with the lawn, and would spend hours preparing it and looking after it, while I saw to the borders.
“We had an acer in the garden of our previous house and we used to sit together near to it. After Stan passed away, I bought the acer and buried his ashes beneath. It’s lovely to sit in the garden and look at the tree and feel close to him,” said Linda.
Chris’s story
Christopher and Joanna Trollope have planted a Davidia involucrata AGM (handkerchief tree), which will be mother-in-law Jane Cape’s legacy
“After she passed away, we found notebooks documenting how things in her garden were growing, and four pots with a Davidia involucrata AGM (handkerchief tree) growing in each,” said Christopher.
“Handkerchief trees are difficult to propagate, but we took them home with us and cared for them. Unfortunately, the dog got one, but the other three emerged unscathed. We planted one in the ground in late November and my brother has another. It’s in a quiet space with an oak tree next to it. The tree is her legacy and we feel we are continuing her legacy by trialling different plants in our garden too,” explained Christopher.
Linda’s story
The tree the community group have planted in memory of long-time member Terence Downing
Terence Downing was a member of Beeston in Bloom and passed away during the pandemic after a long illness
“Sadly, Joy Astill, a member of a local church group, died during the Covid pandemic. Her husband, Brian, passed away soon after. They were both keen gardeners who made a big difference to the area around their church,” said Linda Stanley.
In 2021, Beeston in Bloom decided to place a bench overlooking the grounds of the church and to plant a tree in the park in their memory.
“We chose a Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ AGM (flowering cherry), and later in the year surrounded it with spring bulbs. We were concerned that during the heat wave in 2022 and 2023 the tree might not survive. I’m happy to say that with regular watering it’s now doing very well, and we are looking forward to the blossom in April.”
At the same time, the group also planted a tree to remember Terence Downing who had been a member of the group for many years and passed away after a long illness.
“The park is scheduled to lose a number of trees in 2024 due to ash dieback. However, with these trees and others planted to remember loved ones, a beloved dog, and a significant birthday we like to think that we have made a small contribution to replace the loss.”
Glen’s story
Members of North West in Bloom have dedicated a tree to Bill Blackledge MBE, who was chair of the Bloom group
“As Chair of North West in Bloom, Bill was not only a friend, but he was also the go-to person for advice and support. He was the perfect advocate for Bloom, inspiring us to achieve what we did. A very honest man who cared about the environment and the parks and is sadly missed,” said Glen.
North West in Bloom also has plans to create seven Covid Memorial Gardens across districts in Oldham. The aim is to provide local people with a place to visit, pay their respects and contemplate the lives of those people lost through the pandemic.
“Each garden will comprise of several trees, planted with a bulb understory, a memorial bench for contemplation and a plaque,” explained Glen.
Jane’s story
A Victoria plum tree has been planted in Cable Street Community Gardens in memory of Sister Josephine (left)
“Sister Josephine passed away on 23 January 2022, just a few months shy of her 90th birthday. She used to be the Head Teacher of the local RC infant’s school and was such a kind and caring person who always saw the best in everyone,” said Jane.
“We recently created a ‘Therapy Garden’ in the Gardens. It is a lovely spot, where people can sit quietly, read or relax, which is accessible by arrangement. It is full of roses and herbs, including some plants that RHS Hampton Court kindly donated. We also have small pond and ceramic birdbath recently made by one of our members in her pottery class,” explained Jane.
Annie Morrison was a passionate supporter of trees and wildlife
John Rowley (second from right) passed away from Covid in January 2021
“I knew John for many years; he was a great nature lover and would have appreciated the hedgerow as it contains a variety of wildlife-friendly species,” said Jane.
Annie Morrison, a long-time resident at Matilda House, which overlooks the new hedgerow, had severe health problems including breathing and heart issues, which were exacerbated during lockdowns. She passed away suddenly, but peacefully, in her sleep on 28 November 2022 at 68 years old.
“She was a passionate supporter of trees and wildlife, especially our resident robins and squirrels who used to come to her window via a specially connected branch every day for their food.”
Lynette’s story
Sidmouth in Bloom planting three trees in memory of those who lost their lives during the pandemic
“The Sidmouth Town Council gave us permission to install three raised beds to enhance the area, and in each of these, we decided to plant a tree. We advertised in the local Sidmouth Herald for donations, which were quickly taken up,” said Lynette.
“Penny Kelly donated a Crataegus x media ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ AGM (hawthorn tree) in memory of her friend Sally Taylor, a Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ was donated by Northcott Brothers funeral directors on behalf of Northcott bereaved families who had died from Covid and Amelanchier ‘La Paloma’ AGM was donated by Veronica Swinburn in memory of Barbara Davies. The trees all started to flower in 2023.” explained Lynette.
Penny volunteers for Sidmouth in Bloom and enjoys looking after the three raised beds and the trees. Sidmouth in Bloom have been planting the bases with a mix of insect-friendly
Tina’s story
Melvyn Colwell loved spending time in the garden
The tree is in prime position overlooking the meadow and the landscape beyond
“We planted a Malus domestica ‘Christmas Pippin’ (apple tree) on my Dad’s birthday in 2020. We’ve already enjoyed some of its delicious apples, when we can get to them before the deer,” said Tina.
Melvyn loved gardening and was happiest when he was in his overalls planting, digging, propagating or planning. He particularly loved growing fruit and vegetables so an apple tree was the perfect choice.
“Dad always hoped we’d move out of London and have a place in the countryside where we could over indulge in gardening and growing ourselves. Sadly, he never got to see our place in the country; we moved during the week of his funeral.
“Our first plant in the ground was this tree, chosen by my Mum, now known as ‘Grandad’s tree.’ It’s in a prime position overlooking our meadow and the beautiful landscape beyond, with a lovely old bench nearby. I’m currently redesigning our outdoor space with plans for a large wildlife pond and more trees, but this one is special. The perfect spot to pause and remember,” Tina added.
Kathryn’s story
Kathryn Bennett has planted eucalyptus in her garden in memory of her mother
“I chose a eucalyptus as I wanted them to be seen as green and bright in the depths of winter. They also remind me of my upbringing in Tasmania, the island state of Australia. Both my parents were teachers and our family emigrated to Tasmania in the early 1960s,” said Kathryn.
Kathryn’s mother was not a gardener as such but she was a bright, vivacious woman who enjoyed light and space.
“My mother bemoaned the darkness of winter and counted down to the brightness of spring each year. She delighted in our garden, which we have rather eclectically developed over the last 10 years or so. The fast growing eucalyptus have given me a focal point to look out on and remember my mother each day,” added Kathryn.
