Donation & Dedication Opportunities

Each year, Arboretum staff identify healthy trees from our collections aligned with our Collections Development Plan, that are available for dedication. This process is designed to ensure trees are successful throughout their dedication term. Donation levels eligible for a dedication plaque are as follows:

• A Significant Sapling is a smaller, recently planted tree or a new tree that we intend to plant in our collections.
  • $3,000
• An Established Tree is a thriving tree that is already an integral part of our Arboretum collections.
  • $5,000
• A Heritage Tree is a well-established, significant tree that represents some of the longest-standing and most historical aspects of our collections.
  • $7,500

Each tree dedication is guaranteed for either two years or the life of the tree, whichever is longer. Should the tree fail during the first two years, The Arboretum will replace the tree or move the plaque to a new collection tree in consultation with the donor. At the end of the dedication term or the life of the tree, The Arboretum will make a good faith attempt to contact the donor to discuss renewal opportunities available in The Arboretum at that time. 

Century Conifers

Individuals can also sponsor Century Pines and Spruces that were planted in 1907 by Canada's father of forestry, Edmund Zavitz. A plaque in your name or someone you love's honour will be placed at the base of the tree to add your own legacy to this awe-inspiring collection. To learn more about the Century Conifers, please visit the Century Pines page. (Please note, only spruce trees are available for dedication at this time.)

Wall-Custance Memorial Forest

The Arboretum partners with the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel to provide a commemorative alternative option for tree dedications in memory of a loved one. This program includes one community tree in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Grove each year and a plaque listing all people remembered. In addition, there is one individual tree or shrub planted for each person as part of our ongoing forest restoration efforts. To learn more visit the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest page. Note: Gifts to this program are open to the public, made directly through Wall-Custance, and are provided tax receipts by the University of Guelph.

The Arboretum's bench program is a charitable giving program which aims to commemorate loved ones or special milestones, beautify our gardens and collections, and provide places for rest in the gardens as well as funds to sustain the Arboretum over time. 

The $7,500 is a tax deductible gift, made through the University of Guelph, and the whole amount comes to the Arboretum. The funds support the bench, preparation, footings/pad, plaque design and creation, installation, and sealing, as well as a portion to our endowment for sustainability. The benches have a ten year term, after which family members are invited to renew. (This renewal process arose as a significant need to ensure safety and sustainability of the benches and the program).

Donations for bench dedications are allocated to Arboretum operating accounts (50%), which support the costs associated with dedication, and to the Arboretum Endowment (50%).

The Arboretum will maintain arbors and benches for the dedication term (10 years). At the end of the dedication term, The Arboretum will make a good faith attempt to contact the donor to discuss renewal opportunities available in The Arboretum at that time. If no renewal is desired, the donor may pick up their plaque or have the plaque returned for a small shipping fee. The location will be available for a new dedication at the discretion of The Arboretum.

The Arboretum has a limited number of arbor locations available for dedication. Donations of $7,500 will be eligible for a dedication plaque, which will be fixed to the selected Arbor.

Significant financial support enables ongoing development of Arboretum collections, built features, educational programming, and interpretive and informational materials and signage in the name of the donor.

Please contact The Arboretum for more information about dedicating a garden bed in our collections.

Through a gift in your will you can make a real difference to the Arboretum and create a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy the beauty of nature. Please contact Jayne Whitfield at 519 824 4120 x56196 or bequests@uoguelph.ca for more information. Jayne would be delighted to discuss ways to create a meaningful legacy for you at the Arboretum.

Gifts of Shares:  A gift of appreciated securities is a great way to support The Arboretum. Donors receive full tax credit for the fair-market value. Contact us using the form below for more information.

Examples of named collections with endowments include the Frances Ball Rose Garden, OAC '56 Park in the Garden and the David G. Porter Memorial Japanese Garden.

Students learn and grow from experiential learning in The Arboretum. A generous investment ranging from $12,000 to $20,000 will support a dedicated studentship in our grounds and greenhouses, as well as plant purchases dedicated to continuing collections, gardens, and restoration efforts. Donations will be acknowledged in the student role posting, in our communications network, and (as applicable) with a dedication plaque in a specific area of focus on the grounds.

You can locate dedication trees in The Arboretum using our Arboretum Explorer. 

Follow these steps to find a dedicated tree on our Arboretum Explorer:

1. Open the Arboretum Explorer
2. Click on the "Features" tab in the top navigation bar
3. Select "Dedication Tree" under the "Type" dropdown bar
4. In the "Name" box, type the name of the individual that the tree was dedicated to
5. Press the "Search" button
6. Click on a green map marker to view more information