Are you looking for a way to give a lasting gift for some one special?

Why not a tree? A Celebration Tree is a lovely way to mark a life lived, birth, birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding or any special person or event. Thanks to this green initiative, Celebration Trees are being planted in parks across our community, providing shade, beauty and recognizing special people in a lasting way. Today, close to 100 Celebration Trees have been added to our public parks since it began in 2009.

Requests for 2019 Celebration Trees will be accepted after February 1st, 2019. All orders must be submitted by August 1st, 2019.

Click here to download your Celebration Trees Order Form

This year there are four parks available for planting, the following chart lists the available parks and what species are suitable for each park based on the conditions of the site. We are striving to maintain biodiversity and suitability for years to come.

Elora Meadows Park

Service Berry
Ironwood
Hackberry
Bur Oak
Silver Maple
Autumn Blaze Maple

Keating Park – Elora

Service Berry
Tulip Tree
Northern Catalpa
Basswood
Ironwood
Hackberry
Bur Oak
Red Oak
White Oak
Redbud
Black Cherry
Sugar Maple
Red Maple
Silver Maple
Autumn Blaze Maple
White Spruce
White Pine
Red Pine
American Larch

Millburn Park – Fergus

Service Berry
Tulip Tree
Ironwood
Hackberry
Bur Oak
Red Oak
Silver Maple
Autumn Breeze Maple
White Spruce
Red Pine

Wilkie Park – Fergus

Service Berry
Tulip Tree
Northern Catalpa
Basswood
Ironwood
Hackberry
Bur Oak
Red Oak
White Oak
Redbud
Black Cherry
Sugar Maple
Red Maple
Silver Maple
Autumn Breeze Maple
White Spruce
White Pine
Red Pine
American Larch

FAQs

When are the trees planted?
- Celebration Trees are planted each fall. Donors, honourees and family members are invited to take part in the dedication of each tree.
What species of tree can I plant?
- The species of trees available through this program are found here: 2019 Species List for Celebration Trees
What is the cost and can I get a tax receipt for my tree?
- The cost of the 6 – 8 foot native tree is $225 and is a tax deductible donation.
How will the community recognize who the tree is honouring?
- An engraved plaque is placed by each tree. The order form has more details on what information you can include on your plaque.
Where can I have my tree planted?
- Trees are planted in community parks in Centre Wellington, Ontario (Fergus, Elora and Salem). Please contact NeighbourWoods on the Grand at the Elora Environment Centre for the current park listing.

Specific parks are determined each year by the Parks Department.

Celebration Trees is a joint venture of the Elora Environment Centre, NeighbourWoods on the Grand and the Township of Centre Wellington Parks and Recreation Department.

2017

Changing Of The Guard For Celebration Trees

On Wednesday June 28th, the current and future ambassadors for celebration trees met in Bissell Park at the foot of Dalwood’s tree to commemorate the “changing of the guard.” Dalwood’s owners, Donna Ross (far left) and Peter Schmidt (middle), are retiring and moving east to Merrickville, just outside of Ottawa. We are deeply grateful for their huge contribution to Centre Wellington parks. Thanks to them, we now have close to 100 trees thriving in our parks for everyone to see. We are also delighted to welcome the new team of volunteers who are taking over the program, some of whom are pictured here. From left to right: Anne Hobbs, Susan Brown and Paul Mitchell, who will be handling public inquiries.

Donna and Peter- we wish you the best of luck on the road ahead!

2016

This year, 10 trees were planted in 5 community parks. Thank you to all of our donors, honourees and guests who came out to mark the occasion on September 18th.

The families of John McWilliam and Ross Robertson in Pattison Park, Fergus dedicating one of two Red Oaks planted in memory John and Ross.

Joan McWilliam and her family with their second tree in Pattison Park, Fergus.

The Rogers Family celebrate their neighbourhood by adding a Tulip Tree to Drimmie Park, Elora.

Eileen Pedersen celebrates her love of Elora with her friends, in Bissell Park, Elora which now is home to a new Tulip Tree.

The family of World War II Veteran George Rogers honours his memory by dedicating a Sugar Maple, suitably in Veterans Park, Salem.

Friends of Canon Robert Hulse honour his contribution to Elora with a Tulip Tree planted in Bissell Park, Elora.

The Bustard Family and friends, along with 4-legged Ollie, stand beside their Tulip Tree which celebrates the life of Marilyn Bustard in Drimmie Park, Elora.

Karen Watson continues to beautify Fergus parks. This year she donated a Sugar Maple, a Red Oak and an Autumn Blaze Maple to grace Strathallan Park, Fergus.

2015

In memory of Bob Granger – Bissell Park, Elora
In celebration of Ben and Sonia – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Bryan Swick Turner – Bissell Park, Elora
In celebration of Dalwood Ross Szmidt – Bissell Park, Elora
In celebration of Doris and Lloyd Swick – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Daniel Koop – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Joseph Foster – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Kenny Day – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Rob Seagrove – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Shirley MacRae – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Stephen Harman – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of William Ellis – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Midas McKee – Drimmie Park, Elora
In memory of Stacey Cooper – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Graham Oughton – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of John McTavish – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Shirley Povey-Jennings – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Ron Chilton – Millburn Park, Fergus
In celebration of Karen Watson – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Colin Williams – Veterans Park, Salem

2014

In memory of Barb and Jim Groocock – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Charles Peppler – Bissell Park, Elora
In celebration of Darren and Amanda Townsend – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Philip Simpson – Drimmie Park, Elora
In memory of John Cairns – Hoffer Park, Elora
In memory of Anne Evans – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Helen and Ron Goodall – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Ralph and Dorita Shaw – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Gary Warren – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Aileen “Mickey” Coles – Pattison Park, Fergus
In memory of Douglas Johnstone – Veterans Park, Salem
In celebration of Toni Ellis – Victoria Park, Elora

2013

In memory of Vel Pero – Station Square Park
In memory of Vel Pero – Station Square Park
In celebration of Lilly Maggs – Pattison Park, Fergus
In celebration of Rupert Banks – Millburn Park, Fergus
In recognition of Relay for Life’s 10th anniversary – Millburn Park, Fergus
In memory of Heather Finch – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Nicholas Brown – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Gladys Morley – Bissell Park, Elora

2012

In memory of Kenneth E French – Veteran’s Park, Salem
In memory of Rhoda Lipton – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Bob Reynolds – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Lorraine Drew-Brook – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Elora Environment staff member, Kimberly Anne Duffin – Bissell Park, Elora
In memory of Trevor Ashbee – Victoria Park, Elora