Planting a memorial tree offers a timeless way to celebrate the life of a loved one.
As part of the Lower Chew Forest, we are offering a unique opportunity for commemoration in a landmark new woodland between Bristol and Bath.
Dedicating a tree creates a permanent, living and growing tribute, which will continue to have a positive impact for people, the planet and wildlife for generations to come. It will give family and friends a place to visit, reflect and remember.
Why is Lower Chew Forest special?
We are in the process of establishing Lower Chew Forest in the beautiful Chew Valley. Much more than just trees, it will be a mosaic of habitats including wildflower meadows, grassland, wetlands and orchards.
Lower Chew Forest is as much about people as it is nature. Our projects are powered by amazing volunteers and the wider community. Our vision is for Lower Chew Forest to become a centre for learning and education about the natural world.
From bats to bees, and hares to woodpeckers this tree will support precious native wildlife and be a living focal point in the largest new woodland in the South West for a generation.
Planted on the Peace Avenue, or Memory Grove a specially chosen tree will stand as a symbol of remembrance that you and others can walk amongst long into the future.
You can read more about Lower Chew Forest here.
Your Tree In Memory
Your dedicated tree will be planted as an established sapling, in a standalone position on the western side of Lower Chew Forest. Species will be large, broadleaf, native trees such as English oak, hornbeam, wild service tree, field maple and small leaved lime. As well as looking spectacular, these species play a key role in balanced ecosystems where biodiversity will be given the best chance to flourish. We plan for the long term, carrying out maintenance and tree care work to ensure our trees and habitats thrive.
You will have the opportunity to visit the Lower Chew Forest and hold a ceremony to plant the tree, to reflect and remember your loved one in beautiful surroundings.
We have a number of options available to suit different preferences and budgets. Please get in touch and a member of our team will take you through our offering and find what would work best for you.
Next steps
To find out more or to register your interest in dedicating a tree in memory, please get in touch with us by clicking the link below and completing the form. A member of our team will get back to you to provide more information and answer any questions you may have.
Please note that Lower Chew Forest is a fast moving project in development. While every effort has been made to plan accurately and in detail, there is the possibility that some of the details here may change. If this is the case, we’ll come up with alternatives and keep you informed at every step of the way.
FAQS
Where is Lower Chew Forest?
Lower Chew Forest is situated in the rolling landscape of the Lower Chew Valley, just south of Compton Dando. It is around 30-40 minutes drive from both Bristol and Bath.
You can see the location on a map here (please note that the exact location of parking with be confirmed closer to the time).
Is parking available?
Yes. Please note there will only be limited parking available on the site and as such, we ask that parties for in memorial tree ceremonies are limited to two cars.
Will other people be on site?
During the winter of 25/6 we will be in our second and final season of tree planting as Lower Chew Forest.
Your in memory tree day will be planned to minimise any overlap with working groups, as we would like you to enjoy privacy and peace for your visit and have time and space to reflect, especially around the ceremony itself.
If you do decide to explore the site after your visit there is a chance you might come across working groups of volunteers or other contractors. They tend to be a friendly and welcoming bunch.
What happens in the case of bad weather?
Three days before your agreed date we will make an assessment on the weather conditions and make a decision on whether to proceed. If the weather is too poor, we will find an alternative date.
Please note that because we are planting in winter, there is always the chance of mixed weather and it’s worth considering if you’re happy to book on this basis.
Will we have to do much digging?
The holes for your tree will be dug in advance by one of the land team. There will be the opportunity to do some digging if you wish and to help with throwing soil with a spade on to the roots of the tree as part of the planting process.
Will we be able to visit our tree later?
Yes. There will be access to the site on foot 24/7 via public footpaths. Longer term parking arrangements for Lower Chew Forest are yet to be confirmed as it is a project very much in development but at a minimum there will be limited parking available on request.
What happens if the tree is damaged or dies?
Tree care and maintenance is very important to us and part of our planning. As such we have tree survival rates of 90% and over which is well above average. In the case of In Memorial Trees we will take particular care to ensure they are well maintained, especially in the early period of establishment.
On the off chance that your dedicated tree is damaged or dies, we will work with you to replace it at no extra cost to you.
Maintenance of Lower Chew Forest and the trees
Lower Chew Forest will be a managed forest and as part of longer term maintenance of the woodland we will be carrying out practices like coppicing. In some circumstances this may be carried out on your tree. Sometimes misunderstood, coppicing is a traditional method of pruning and maintaining trees that improves their health and resilience, and leads to a longer lifespan.
Livestock on site
Lower Chew Forest will be a site where animals are grazed as part of measures to maintain the land. We will ensure that no livestock are present during your initial ceremony. However, longer term, it might be that there are animals grazing nearby your dedicated tree when you visit, similar to taking public rights of way through agricultural land.
Accessibility
We are currently assessing whether we might be able to offer better accessibility paths at Lower Chew Forest. For the moment, please assume that access to your tree will be via rough paths, similar to public rights of way. It is also worth noting that your tree will likely stand slightly back from the path which will require walking through longer grass with uneven ground.
Ashes and burials
Avon Needs Trees staff will facilitate your day but please note it will be left to you or your group to lead on any words or reflections that you might want to say.
Please note that we do not allow the scattering of ashes on the site at Lower Chew Forest. Amongst other reasons, ash is acidic so it can affect the pH of the soil and the local ecosystem.
We also are not able to arrange burials at Lower Chew Forest.
Can I choose a specific location or species of tree?
The layout and habitats of Lower Chew Forest has been carefully planned with a number of factors in mind and in consultation with local partners, wider regional strategies and local authorities.
We are happy to discuss with you the choice of your position of tree within the parameters of our plans.
Please note that species too have been selected on the basis of their benefit to biodiversity and their role within the local ecosystem so we aren’t able to accommodate requests for specific species of trees.
Your suggested donation levels seem high. Why is that?
Avon Needs Trees is a registered charity and any donations from in memory trees will go directly towards the costs of establishing Lower Chew Forest.
We buy our land to ensure that our woodlands will be standing indefinitely. We have specific targets we need to get the forest planted this winter. Any donations you make will go towards making Lower Chew Forest a reality and a space that benefits local communities for generations to come.
