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Memorial Park Tree Donations

The beauty of historic Memorial Park is due, in large part, to the existence of the many and varied trees that have been planted throughout the park.  The Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy is pleased to offer two programs for community members to participate in the preservation and enhancement of the park’s tree collection — 1) dedication of individual trees and 2) a restoration tree fund.

Dedication Trees 

The Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy is honored to work with the Township to continue the tradition of planting dedicated trees in Memorial Park. Donors can create a lasting legacy for a loved one, commemorate a special occasion, or just acknowledge the beauty of our historic park through the donation of a dedicated tree.

Individual trees can be purchased in various sizes and species, for different levels of giving.  A number of smaller trees have recently been planted by the Conservancy and are available for dedication at the $500 level.  Others, not yet planted, can be dedicated at one of the levels indicated below.  It is important to note that, since Memorial Park is a local landmark, listed in the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places, trees that are to be planted must be carefully researched and chosen for their appropriateness to the original planting plan as well as suitability to today’s environment. An approval by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office is also required.

Trees can be purchased at the following levels:

$500 – Understory or ornamental tree or small shade tree

$1,500 – Overstory shade tree or large evergreen

$5,000 – Large, specimen shade tree

The purchase price includes the initial cost as well as money set aside to replace the tree if necessary.  A dedication tag will be attached to the tree, giving both the common and scientific name of the tree, date of donation, and a personalized dedication.  In addition, the donor will receive a certificate acknowledging the gift and a map showing the placement of the tree. A one-year membership to the Conservancy is also included (the highest level of donation includes a lifetime membership).

Below is a list of trees that are currently available for dedication. Recently planted trees are shown with their location in the park, and an indication of their size at maturity. Additional trees have been approved and are scheduled for planting in upcoming seasons. This list will be updated as additional trees are approved. (Trees that are yet to be planted can be purchased at various sizes.)  To discuss the options for dedicating specific trees, please contact the Conservancy at

info@maplewoodmemorialparkconservancy.org


Trees Currently Available

Recently planted:

Overstory Trees

Beech, American (Fagus grandiflora)

1 Available. This native tree has a smooth gray bark with dark-green glossy leaves. Grows to have a wide-spread canopy.


Beech, European (Fagus sylvatica)

1 Available. Typically grows 50-60’ and has a dense, upright-oval to rounded-spreading crown. The foliage turns golden bronze in the fall.


Golden Larch (Pseudolarix amabilis)

2 Available. These specimens add to our collection of deciduous conifers and typically grow to 40’ high. The soft light green foliage turns a spectacular golden yellow before dropping in the fall.


Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus diocus)

2 Available. This native woodland tree can grow to become a large specimen (60’ tall by 50’ wide). Spring flowers are creamy white panicles that attracts insect pollinators and hummingbirds. Summer leaves turn to yellow brown in the fall. In winter, the architectural form is rugged and picturesque.

Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa)

4 Available. Beautiful ornamental shade tree with lustrous dark green leaves, silver beneath, and gray smooth bark. Early summer flowers attract pollinators.


Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

2 Available. These large shade trees grow to 60’ tall and wide and will join the ranks of some of the largest, most long-lived trees currently in the park. Young trees have attractive peeling bark, and the lobed leaves are a lustrous green with silvery undersides. Acorns have interesting caps and fall color is an attractive gold.


Three-flowered Maple (Acer triflorum)

1 Available. Three-flowered Maples are small trees with outstanding ornamental features. The grey brown bark peels back to reveal orange brown inner bark and the leaves turn spectacular shades of red and orange in the fall. The flowers for which the trees are named appear in spring, but are rather small.

Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)

1 Available. These large shade trees grow relatively quickly for an oak and can reach up to 75’ tall and 50′ wide. This species has narrow willow-like leaves which are a light green. Fall color is an attractive mix of gold, apricot and salmon.



Understory Trees

Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

1 Available. A native tree with outstanding foliage and brilliant fall color, the Black Gum reaches 30’ to 50’ in height at maturity.


Crabapple ‘Adams’ (Malus ‘Adams’)

3 Available. Two are located in our crabapple grove and one is in the border along Valley Street, these trees have magenta buds that open to single pink flowers. Foliage is red turning to orange red in fall, and the glossy red fruit persists on the trees through winter. These trees grow to 20’ high and 20’ wide.


Crabapple ‘Donald Wyman’ (Malus ‘Donald Wyman’)

1 Available. This spreading crabapple variety (20’ high and 20’ wide) has pink buds that open to white flowers in mid-spring. Foliage is dark green in summer and turns to gold in fall. Small bright red fruits that persist well into winter are an important late food source for birds.

Crabapple ‘Prairie Fire’ (Malus ‘Prairie Fire’)

1 Available. Another addition to our crabapple grove, these trees have pink buds that open to single pink flowers. The small fruit turns red in the fall and lasts through late fall and winter, when they are eaten by birds. Fall foliage on these small trees is an attractive orange.

Crabapple ‘Red Baron’ (Malus ‘Red Baron’)

1 Available. This upright variety (20’ high and 10’ wide) of crabapple has deep red buds that open to deep pink flowers in late spring. Foliage emerges as a coppery green which deepens to dark green in summer. In fall, the leaves turn a brilliant orange and are accompanied by small bright red fruits that are relished by birds.

Crabapple ‘Royal Raindrops’ (Malus ‘Royal Raindrops’)

1 Available. Another variety in our crabapple grove, these trees have pink buds that open to single bright pink flowers. Foliage is red turning to orange red in fall, and the burgundy small fruit persists on the trees through winter. These trees grow to 20’ high and 15’ wide.


Dogwood ‘Celestial’ (Cornus ‘Celestial’)

1 Available. This white flowered small tree is a hybrid of native and Kousa dogwoods. ‘Celestial’ has particularly large blooms, followed by striking red fruit and foliage in the fall.


Dogwood ‘Scarlett Fire’ (Cornus kousa ‘Scarlett Fire’)

A heavily flowering dogwood with dark, strong pink bracts in summer, Scarlett Fire has red fall color with classic red hanging fruit.


Dogwood ‘Stellar Pink’ (Cornus ‘Stellar Pink’)

1 Available. Another addition to our dogwood grove. This is a pink flowered cross of our native dogwood with other more disease resistant dogwood species. Stellar Pink displays lovely pink flowers in spring and deep red foliage in the fall.



Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

5 Available. One of the most beautiful of native pines, the long lived and rapid growing Eastern White Pines are among the tallest trees in North America, reaching 50’ to 80’ in height.


Weeping Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’)

1 available. This weeping pine was cultivated to have drooping branches with blue-green colored needles that are soft to the touch.

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Fringetree (Chioananthus virginica)

1 available. This flowering tree blooms white, drooping, fringe-like flowers from May to June that provides a nice fragrance to the surrounding area.


Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)

3 Available. These multi-trunked trees have striking white bark and bright green leaves, which turn an attractive gold in the fall.  They grow quickly to 25’


Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

2 available. A medium to large sized deciduous tree that grows anywhere from 40-60’. It is tall with upright-arching branching and a rounded crown.

Hophornbeam (Ostyra virginiana)

2 available. A medium to large sized deciduous tree that grows anywhere from 40-60’. It is tall with upright-arching branching and a rounded crown.


Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)

1 available. This tree typically does not exceed 35’. It has bell-shaped, white flowers that bloom in in April.


Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)

1 Available. The tall slender pyramidal evergreens are the national trees of Japan where they are grown at temples and shrines. Typically they grow to 50’ tall. Their reddish brown peeling bark is also attractive.


Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)

1 Available. This small tree displays lovely white flowers in June. The flaky bark provides winter interest.


Magnolia, Star (Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’)

1 Available. This tree is native to Japan and grows 15-20’ tall. It is noted for its compact size and late winter to early spring bloom of star-shaped white flowers.

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Redbud ‘Ace of Hearts’ (Cercis canadensis ‘Ace of Hearts’)

3 Available. These native woodland trees grow to 12’ tall and 15’ wide. Their bright pink early spring flowers attract pollinators. In summer, this variety has glossy heart shaped leaves that turn an attractive yellow in fall.


Redbud ‘Rising Sun’ (Cercis canadensis ’Rising Sun’)

3 Available. These native woodland trees grow to 10’ tall and wide. Their bright pink early spring flowers attract pollinators. In summer, this variety sports brightly colored leaves that turn an attractive yellow in fall.


River Birch (Betula nigra)

3 Available. Attractive peeling salmon and white bark characterize this fast-growing large tree that may reach 80’ tall. Light green leaves turn golden in the fall.


Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

2 available. Typically grows 60-90’ with a pyramidal to broad conical branching habit.  Has tulip shaped flowers that bloom in the spring.  The flowers are yellow with an orange band at the base.


Weeping Willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’)

2 Available. A fast, upright deciduous tree that grows to be 50-75’. The pendulous golden branchlets hang towards the ground.




Restoration Tree Fund

Donors have the opportunity of giving any amount to a Restoration Tree Fund to support the beautiful tree canopy in Memorial Park. This will ensure a reliable source of funds to help cover the costs associated with replacement of existing trees, many of which have been affected by disease, storm damage or advancing age.

Various levels of giving have been established:

Up to $100 – Memorial

Up to $250 – Heritage

Up to $500 – Landmark

Over $500 – Legacy

Donors to this fund do not dedicate a specific tree, but receive a certificate acknowledging the gift, a listing on the Conservancy website, and Conservancy membership.  (Memorial, Heritage and Landmark donors receive memberships for one year, Legacy donors receive lifetime membership.)

To donate to the Restoration Tree Fund, please contact:

info@maplewoodmemorialparkconservancy.org