Tree of Cherished Memories

Christmas Opening Hours

Seasonal opening hours will apply on:

 

Tuesday 24 December    10am - 3pm

Wednesday 25 December    CLOSED

Tuesday 31 December    10am - 3pm

 

On all other dates our normal opening hours (10am - 4pm) will apply.

Book your visit

The Tree of Cherished Memories is a magnificent 4m sculpture by artist Jill Berelowitz.

Nestled amongst a landscaped wooded glade within the Arboretum, adjacent to the Royal British Legion Poppy Field this magical tree is a Remembrance space for all. 

Leaves

Dedications

Beautiful leaf and figurative elements of the sculpture can be individually commissioned as a dedication to a loved one, or to mark special occasions for celebration and Remembrance.

Dedications can be commissioned in the shape of a leaf or figure, please see options below: 

 

Dedication Leaf

£425 for 5 years or £800 for 10 years.

Engraving is limited to a maximum of three lines of text, of up to 20 characters per line (including any spaces and symbols)

 

Dedication Figure

£2500 for 25 years.

Engraving is limited to a maximum of two lines of text, of up to 40 characters per line (including any spaces and symbols).

 

Costs include the production of the dedication, engraving (character limits apply), installation on the sculpture and a donation towards the care of the Arboretum for the duration of your commission. 


Please note we are currently not accepting new Tree of Cherished Memories tributes. We will reopen our tribute dedication window in January. 

Following your submission we estimate that it will be about 14 weeks before your dedication is added to the Tree of Cherished Memories. Please note this timing is an approximation, our team will be in contact once your dedication is in place. 

Figures

Cast in bronze, our new sculpture is steeped in symbolism. Immortalising one of the Arboretum’s very own Hawthorn trees, the design represents a peaceful connection between humanity and nature. It’s interwoven trunk and visible roots emanate strength and determination, and the globe-like crown of the tree symbolises connection and togetherness. 

 

On the ground, a growing seed-pod represents youth and new life. Glinting bronze leaves and figurative dancers are entwined within the branches and will continue to grow as personal dedications are added. 

 

The sculptor, Jill Berelowitz, makes ambitious, large scale works that articulate her personal experiences. Infused with a positive and often spiritual feel, many of her works are deeply personal and often incorporate symbols of a talismanic importance such as the tree of life, circles and spherical forms. Many others evoke the human figure, formed with qualities of elegance and lyrical movement and often elongated and abstracted in the manner of the traditional tribal sculpture of her homeland of South Africa.

 

Jill has established herself as one of the Nation's most innovative and prominent sculptors, with high-profile commissions including ‘Diving Girl’, which was positioned at the entrance to London 2012 the Olympic Village, The Investec Challenge rugby trophy at Twickenham and has created work for the Goldsmith’s Guild, Unilever, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Heathrow Terminal 5. 


If you have any questions, queries or comments about our new sculpture, the Tree of Cherished Memories, please email: dedications@thenma.org.uk

Artist Jill Berelowitz with the Tree of Cherished Memories

Tree of Cherished Memories

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much text can feature on my leaf or figure?

There is space to add an inscription on both the leaves and figurative elements that will feature on our Tree of Cherished Memories. The following character counts will apply

Leaf Dedication
Engraving is limited to a maximum of three lines of text, of up to 20 characters per line (including any spaces and symbols, including punctuation) 

For example, the dedication below features; 17 characters - line 1, 11 characters - line 2, 18 characters - line 3:

In Memory Of June  
1932 - 2014
Remembered Forever

Figure Dedication
Engraving is limited to a maximum of two lines of text, of up to 40 characters per line (including any spaces and symbols, including punctuation).

For example, the dedication below features; 37 characters - line 1, 29 characters - line 2:

To mark our 40th Anniversary together
Sandra and Arthur, 01.04.1981

 

Please ensure you check your inscription before it is submitted. 

What happens after the dedication period is over?
After your initial dedication period is over, you will be offered the opportunity to renew your dedication for a further time period of 5, 10 or 25 years. Alternatively, the dedication will be returned to you. 
What is the sculpture and its dedications made from?
The sculpture and its dedications are cast in bronze. Whilst the bronze leaves will be allowed to weather naturally on the tree. 
How will I find my dedication?
When the dedications are added to the sculpture they will be allocated an identification number. This will then be added to our kiosk system and you can search for your dedications at our information point within the Remembrance Centre. You will also receive an email with the location of your dedication once it has been installed. 
Can my dedication be taken off the tree early?
We can remove your dedication at any point within your dedication period, however we would not then be able to re-add this dedication back to the tree.
I made an error in my dedication inscription, can it be amended?

Upon submission of your inscription, you have 24 hours to make any changes before the inscription gets sent to the engraver. After this, your inscription is unable to be changed. Please take care to check your inscription for any errors before submission.

 

 

How long before my dedication is added to the Tree of Cherished Memories?
After commissioning a dedication you will be sent an email confirmation with a link to a form to complete your inscription. Following submission of this inscription we estimate that it will be about 12 weeks before your dedication is added to the Tree of Cherished Memories. Please note this timing is an approximation, our team will be in contact once your dedication is in place. 
Can I make my dedication out to more than one person?

As long as your dedication inscription fits within the character counts below, you can include as many names as you wish as part of your dedication.

 

Leaf Dedication - three lines of 20 characters

Figure Dedication - two lines of 40 characters

 

Please note, we reserve the right to refuse a commission or suggest amends if the requested copy is deemed inappropriate.

Where is the Tree of Cherished Memories located at the Arboretum?
The Tree of Cherished Memories is located adjacent to the Royal British Legion Poppy Field.
Who can I contact about any questions or queries I have about the Tree of Cherished Memories, or my dedication?
If you have any questions, queries or comments about our new sculpture, the Tree of Cherished Memories, please email: dedications@thenma.org.uk