Tree Planting Programs

TREES OF CELEBRATION PROGRAM

Celebrating life can take many forms and occur at different milestones – whether at the beginning when a newborn arrives, a relationship union, birthday, graduation, anniversary, holidays, or when a loved one has passed.

The CIF-IFC wants to celebrate with you and provide a means to commemorate your life moment with the planting of a tree through our Trees of Celebration Program.

Purchase a tree(s) today and contribute to providing a critical living legacy that will offer numerous benefits to the environment for current and future generations!

PLANTING PARTNERS

Thank you to our partners who are dedicated to planting trees across Canada, and growing a greener tomorrow!

MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

Planting a tree in someone’s honour or memory is a sustainable, living tribute that is beneficial for both present and future generations, as well as the environment. The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC) participates in the Memorial Tree Planting Program as the tree planting partner, working with organizations on-the-ground to ensure that all trees purchased through the program get planted.

MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What is Canadian Institute of Forestry’s Involvement in the Memorial Tree Planting Program?

The Canadian Institute of Forestry is the tree planting partner in the Memorial Tree Planting Program. In this role, the Canadian Institute of Forestry works with organizations on-the-ground to ensure that all trees purchased through the program get planted.


Who is the payment for the trees made to?

All trees are purchased online (associated with a specific obituary) or through HAL Trees and all payments go to these organizations, not the Canadian Institute of Forestry.


Can I purchase trees directly from Canadian Institute of Forestry?

At this time no trees can be purchased directly from the Canadian Institute of Forestry. If you are not sure who/where to purchase trees, we would be happy to suggest one of our Tree Planting Program partner organizations.


If I have questions about the program, who do I contact?

As the CIF-IFC is not involved in the sale of the trees, we ask that you direct any and all questions you have to the organization through which you purchased the tree(s).


Where will the tree be planted and can I choose which species is planted?

To the best of our ability, the trees will be planted in the province in which the funeral took place. At this time, it is not possible to request a location or a specific species of trees to be planted. The organizations that assist the Canadian Institute of Forestry in planting the tree(s) have expertise of their local area, site conditions and suitable species and are responsible for determining the species and planting location.


Can I request a specific location for the trees to be planted?

At this time, it is not possible to request a specific planting location. The organizations that assist the Canadian Institute of Forestry in planting the trees have expertise of their local area, site conditions and are responsible for determining the planting location.


What size of tree is planted?

Trees planted as part of the Memorial Tree Planting program are seedlings.


Are there any plaques placed at the planting sites?

There are no plaques or identifying markings on the trees or at the planting sites.


Am I able to visit the trees I purchased?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the trees that are purchased, as they are often planted in rural or remote areas that may not be accessible to the public.


When will the trees be planted?

Trees are planted on a “year behind” system. This means that the trees will be planted the year after they were purchased (i.e. trees purchased in 2021 will be planted in 2022). Trees are planted annually between May and November and the location of the planting is known by December of that the planting year.


Are the planted trees monitored (i.e., Is there any way of knowing if my tree survived)?

Currently, there is no mechanism in place to monitor the long-term health of the trees.


How many trees over the years have been planted through the Memorial Tree Planting Program?

Over the years, the Canadian Institute of Forestry has planted more than 100,000 trees as part of the Memorial Tree Planting Program and the number increases every year. We are proud to participate in this program which has resulted in thousands of trees being planted in provinces across Canada!


What are the benefits of planting a memorial tree?

In addition to leaving a lasting memory of your loved one, trees provide many  critical environmental, social, economical, cultural, and health benefits. These benefits include providing oxygen and filtering the air we breathe, providing food and habitat for wildlife, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon capture, improving soil and water conservation, creating recreational areas, improving mental health, and much more.


ENVIRONMENTAL PLANTING PROGRAM

Trees are one of nature’s few renewable resources, providing critical environmental, social, economic, cultural and health benefits. Through their Paper Pledge, Melitta makes an annual donation to the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF-IFC) to conserve this important resource for future generations. For every tree harvested to produce Melitta’s coffee filters, the CIF-IFC ensures new trees are planted. This results in the planting of thousands of trees each year to help offset trees harvested in their production process.