“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”
― Chad Sugg
WHAT IS THE ADOPT A TREE PROGRAM?
The Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation and the Oak Ridge Cemetery are offering the opportunity to protect the oldest and rarest spontaneous or planted trees, and trees started from seeds from special international trees. Through the Adopt A Tree Program, you become a vital link in maintaining mature, beautiful trees growing in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Established in 1860, Oak Ridge Cemetery, the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, is a 365-acre municipal cemetery containing over 77,000 grave sites. A remarkable feature of this lovely, historic cemetery is the vast number of oak trees and other heritage trees of various age, size and condition.
The purpose of the Adopt A Tree Program in Oak Ridge Cemetery is to promote education about the trees of Oak Ridge Cemetery, to provide the opportunity to be a part of preserving trees vital to the ecological balance of our national treasure, and to enjoy the natural beauty bestowed by majestic trees.
HOW MUCH DOES A TREE COST? $75.00
WHAT TYPES OF TREES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION?
There are nearly a hundred trees, and an expanding list of trees, available for adoption in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Old trees in the cemetery date to the 1840’s, and the oldest (recently) planted trees date from 1994.
The types of trees included in this program are oaks, maples, sycamores, locusts, Osage-orange, pine, beech, tulip tree, sweet-gum, cottonwood, birch, walnut, willow, and more.
Choose any or all of the tour years to view and select a tree. A map of the cemetery reveals the general location of the adoptable trees.
The trees’ origin, size, age, condition, and location have been determined by an arborist and the Oak Ridge Cemetery Director to have ecological, botanical or historical significance. The trees are aesthetically pleasing, and their location is compatible with the need to protect burials.
WHAT DO I GET FOR ADOPTING A TREE?
Your name and the name of the person you may wish to dedicate the tree to will be published on this Oak Ridge Cemetery Trees website and will also be recorded in the archives of Oak Ridge Cemetery’s historic trees. You will receive a letter acknowledging your tree adoption as well as a certificate.
Equally important, you will be one of the special, generous individuals helping to maintain the natural splendor of Oak Ridge Cemetery.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Oak Ridge Cemetery personnel will care for your adopted tree in accordance with cemetery standards and requirements. As you know, trees die, are severely or completely damaged by acts of nature, or in the case of trees growing in a cemetery, may need to be altered to accommodate burials.
If within 5 years of your adoption of a tree, the tree dies or must be removed as a result of a burial, you are entitled to select another tree from the pre-approved list at no additional cost.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT A TREE?
Everyone is eligible to adopt a tree.
HOW DO I APPLY AND PAY FOR AN ADOPT A TREE?
The application for Adopt A Tree is attached to this website. Click on:
Fill out and print application. Each tree adoption costs $75.00. Make check payable to: ORCF Tree Fund
Mail your application and check to:
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Attn: ORCF Tree Fund
1441 Monument Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702
THEN WHAT?
Once your application and check are received and your application approved, you have adopted a special tree in Oak Ridge Cemetery! CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for your commitment to the preservation of beautiful trees in historic Oak Ridge Cemetery.
WHO MANAGES THE ADOPT A TREE PROGRAM?
Funds received through this Adopt A Tree program are deposited with the Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation into the restricted Tree Fund. The Tree Fund is used to assist with activities and work dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of trees in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. Contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Still have questions?
Email us at oakridgetrees2013@gmail.com
oakridgecemeterytrees.com 