"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today!"

Thanks to your support, this program has been very successful . . . since the Remembrance Tree program started in 1994, funds have been provided for 372 trees in the municipal parks (as of 17 Jan 2012).

•Birthdays •Personal Success •Retirements •Weddings •Anniversaries •Memorializing a loved one •Community contributions

It's easy to join this award-winning program... Centre Region residents are invited to mark a personal milestone this year with a living reminder...a shade tree in a local park. Donors may choose their trees from lists created for each park.  The Remembrance Tree Program is a cooperative effort by the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Department and five Centre Region municipalities (the Borough of State College, and the Townships of College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton).  Please see below or call CRPR (814-231-3071) for more details.

2012 Remembrance Trees Available (through 15 Feb 2012)

The donation amount for a standard Remembrance Tree is $300 for a 1.5" - 2" caliper tree with a 3-year guarantee period. Please note that certain specialized species, if requested by the donor, may increase the donation amount based upon the increased purchase price from the commercial nursery.  Donate funds for your Remembrance Tree by calling CRPR at (814) 231-3071 (M-F, 8-5).

"A tree is a keepsake that will mature with the seasons and transform a memory into a growing remembrance."

If a donor wishes to also have a permanent, cast bronze plaque beside their Remembrance Tree, the new Mark A. Kunkle Overlook & Arboretum Area at Tom Tudek Memorial Park has been designated as the sole regional site to host an optional, cast bronze plaque with their Remembrance Tree. An additional donation is necessary for the plaque, concrete base and installation. This site was added when the former plaque-area at Lederer Park became filled to capacity. While all gift trees are eligible for donor tags, in-ground cast bronze plaques are only available at the Tudek Park Arboreteum. The plaque wording is limited on the basis of size and content, and is subject to CRPR approval.

Trees may be ordered at anytime, but payment must be submitted prior to February 15 for spring planting that year. The trees will be planted and maintained by CRPR's Certified Horticulturist, who will work with the donors to choose a suitable location for planting within the parks. 

The donation amount includes tree planting services, material costs and a 3-year guarantee period.  Checks may be made payable to “Centre Region Parks & Recreation Gifts-For-Parks.” Credit cards are also accepted. An official receipt will be issued for each donation. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the IRS. Donations are placed in a special account used only for the Gifts-For-Parks donations.

The donation will be noted in the CRPR Remembrance Tree Roster on the CRPR website. The donor will receive a letter of acknowledgment and a Remembrance Tree Program Certificate. The gift will also be listed in the Gifts-For-Parks section of the annual Fall issue of the CRPR Active Guide.  An engraved plastic donor tag will be secured to the tree, but the longevity of the tag cannot be guaranteed beyond 12 months from the planting date.

3-YEAR TREE GUARANTEE PERIOD: (Effective 16 May 2010)
Remembrance Trees will be replaced by CRPR at no cost to the donor during the 3-year tree guarantee period. If the tree would need to be replaced after the 3-year period, the donor will have the option to purchase a new tree at the wholesale cost of the tree; planting the replacement will be provided by CRPR. If the donor decides not to replace the tree, the tree tag (if available) and/or the optional plaque (additional donation required; permitted at CRPR Board-designated sites only) will be returned to the donor. If the donor is no longer at the address and phone number provided when the tree funds were donated, CRPR will store the plaques/tags for up to one year.

ELIGIBLE PARKS: All municipal parks in the Centre Region are available for donations with the exception of several parks that have been filled to their "tree capacity." All proposed planting sites are subject to the approval of CRPR staff.

"A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless." Teddy Roosevelt, Arbor Day 1907

TREE SPECIES: Below is a list of tree species for reference only. If you are interested in a tree species that is not on this list, you may make a suggestion to be reviewed by the CRPR Horticulturist. Hemlocks and ash trees will not be planted due to the threat of pests and disease; red maples will no longer be planted to prevent a monoculture of that species. The goal is to increase the diversity of tree species within the Centre Region parks.  Species selected by donors for fall planting must be approved by CRPR. 
APPROVED REMEMBRANCE TREES:
Ruby red horsechestnut, River birch, Sugar Maple, Sawtooth Oak, Swamp White Oak, Red Oak, Shingle Oak, Scarlet Oak, Bur Oak, Chestnut Oak, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce, American Beech, Hickory, Lacebark Elm, Tulip Poplar, Willow, Serviceberry, Dogwood, Blackgum, Black Cherry, Redbud, Honeylocust, Purple Robe Black Locust, Hawthorn, Sweetgum, Cucumber Tree, Magnolia, London Planetree, Crabapple, Littleleaf Linden, Hornbeam.

Remembrance Trees Acknowledged

CRPR is pleased to provide a roster of the Remembrance Tree plantings
for each year since the program started in 1994 . . .