Memorial trees
Memorial trees are a wonderful way to honour a special person, event or memory. For example, the birth of your first child, your wedding, a special birthday or other milestone in your life or in memory of person. The Gedenkbos covers 0.25 hectares and has space for 25 trees.
Are you unwilling or unable to apply for a memorial tree online?
Download the Memorial Tree KB Application form and fill it out (in Dutch only). Send the form by post to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
How much does it cost?
The cost for a memorial tree is €150. The cost of a post and brass memorial plaque is €150. The total cost is € 300. This price includes:
- The tree and its planting.
- The memorial plaque.
- Re-planting due to possible damage (maximum 5 years).
- Administration fees.
Do you want a memorial tree but no memorial plaque? No problem. In that case, you only pay the cost of the tree.
Application made: what next?
- A local authority staff member will check you application.
- They will contact you to make the planning appointment. Trees are preferably planted in the autumn.
- The local authority prepares the soil. You plant the tree yourself (possibly with the help of greenery maintenance staff) or the local authority plants the tree for you.
- After planting the tree, you will need to water it for the first 2 years. After that, the tree can take care of itself. During warm periods, it is advisable to water the tree weekly. At the Gedenkbos, a bucket is available to collect water from the ditch. The municipality does not prune the tree because it is in a wooded area. This is only done in cases of danger, serious nuisance and emergencies.
- The local authority will issue you with a certificate for your memorial tree. This is proof that you have a memorial tree in the Gedenkbos. You cannot derive any rights from this. The tree and land remain the property of the City of Leeuwarden.
Choose the type of tree
These trees are suitable for the Gedenkbos. You can choose from these types:
| Latin name | English name |
|---|---|
| Alnus glutinosa | Black alder |
| Betula pubescens | Downy birch |
| Castanea sativa | Sweet chestnut |
| Fagus sylvatica | Beech |
| Fagus sylvatica Atropunicea | Cooper beech |
| Prunus avium | Sweet cherry |
| Quercus robur | English oak |
Where is the Gedenkbos?
The Gedenkbos is situated in Leeuwarderbos. The forest is easily accessible from the car park on Havanklaan. This map clearly shows where Gedenkbos is and where you can park.
Location of the tree
We hope that all trees will live for at least decades and can grow into ecologically valuable trees (40 years and older). Some memorial trees will be bigger than others. For that reason, the location depends on which tree type you choose. A map of all the planting locations is shown in this map.
Memorial plaque
You can have a wooden memorial post with a brass plaque placed near the tree. The plaque has space for a maximum of 150 characters. No other objects are allowed near the tree.
The Gedenkbos is not a natural cemetery
The memorial forest is and remains a forest. By planting or having a tree planted there, people can create their own personal memorial in nature. There is a story behind every tree. You can say what you want to say on the plaque. We ask you not to leave any objects, candles, plants or bouquets and so on Gedenkbos so that we all maintain this woodland environment.
Questions or more information?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
Are you unwilling or unable to apply for a memorial tree online?
Download the Memorial Tree KB Application form and fill it out (in Dutch only). Send the form by post to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
How much does it cost?
The cost for a memorial tree is €150. The cost of a post and brass memorial plaque is €150. The total cost is € 300. This price includes:
- The tree and its planting.
- The memorial plaque.
- Re-planting due to possible damage (maximum 5 years).
- Administration fees.
Do you want a memorial tree but no memorial plaque? No problem. In that case, you only pay the cost of the tree.
Application made: what next?
- A local authority staff member will check you application.
- They will contact you to make the planning appointment. Trees are preferably planted in the autumn.
- The local authority prepares the soil. You plant the tree yourself (possibly with the help of greenery maintenance staff) or the local authority plants the tree for you.
- After planting the tree, you will need to water it for the first 2 years. After that, the tree can take care of itself. During warm periods, it is advisable to water the tree weekly. At the Gedenkbos, a bucket is available to collect water from the ditch. The municipality does not prune the tree because it is in a wooded area. This is only done in cases of danger, serious nuisance and emergencies.
- The local authority will issue you with a certificate for your memorial tree. This is proof that you have a memorial tree in the Gedenkbos. You cannot derive any rights from this. The tree and land remain the property of the City of Leeuwarden.
Choose the type of tree
These trees are suitable for the Gedenkbos. You can choose from these types:
| Latin name | English name |
|---|---|
| Alnus glutinosa | Black alder |
| Betula pubescens | Downy birch |
| Castanea sativa | Sweet chestnut |
| Fagus sylvatica | Beech |
| Fagus sylvatica Atropunicea | Cooper beech |
| Prunus avium | Sweet cherry |
| Quercus robur | English oak |
Where is the Gedenkbos?
The Gedenkbos is situated in Leeuwarderbos. The forest is easily accessible from the car park on Havanklaan. This map clearly shows where Gedenkbos is and where you can park.
Location of the tree
We hope that all trees will live for at least decades and can grow into ecologically valuable trees (40 years and older). Some memorial trees will be bigger than others. For that reason, the location depends on which tree type you choose. A map of all the planting locations is shown in this map.
Memorial plaque
You can have a wooden memorial post with a brass plaque placed near the tree. The plaque has space for a maximum of 150 characters. No other objects are allowed near the tree.
The Gedenkbos is not a natural cemetery
The memorial forest is and remains a forest. By planting or having a tree planted there, people can create their own personal memorial in nature. There is a story behind every tree. You can say what you want to say on the plaque. We ask you not to leave any objects, candles, plants or bouquets and so on Gedenkbos so that we all maintain this woodland environment.
Questions or more information?
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.