Commemorative giving at Ashridge

Oak tree at Ashridge, Herts

It is a lovely idea to commemorate a loved one in a place that was special to them and holds fond memories for you. You can help to protect and conserve this treasured place in memory of your loved one. There are three options which are described below.

Veteran Tree Fund

Ashridge is home to over a thousand ancient and veteran trees that require on-going conservation work.

Most of our veteran trees have younger trees growing up around them shading them out. In order to allow these trees better access to light, space, water and other nutrients, we carry out a programme of ‘halo thinning’. This involves removing younger trees that are encroaching on the canopy of the veteran tree to hopefully keep it in good health for many years to come. It costs around £500 to care for each of our veteran trees in this way.

Donations usually range from around £200 to £500 and are kept in a special fund to enable us to continue with this important work.

Commemorative Tree Planting

Each year we have a small number of trees available for commemorative planting within Ashridge Park and the wider estate. All of the trees are grown at our onsite nursery.

The tree-planting needs to take place during the winter season.

We ask for a minimum donation of £750 per commemorative tree. This includes the protective box, the tree and a replacement should it fail to thrive in the first five years.

Commemorative tree in protective box at Ashridge, Herts

Commemorative benches

Each year we identify a small number of sites where new commemorative benches are required or where existing benches need replacing.

The two styles used at Ashridge are a traditional seat with legs and a less formal half-log design. We tend to use the informal one in more remote locations. Both are handmade by volunteers and staff at Ashridge from sweet chestnut grown on the estate. 

Traditional Bench - £2,500

Traditional bench at Ashridge, Herts / Bucks

Informal half-log bench - £1,500

Half log bench at Ashridge, Herts

Your donation includes the bench, installation, maintenance and upkeep for a period of 10 years.

General notes

We regret we do not allow commemorative plaques or engravings on benches, trees, or tree boxes. This is because we have found they are very prone to vandalism and we prefer all elements of the estate to be presented as naturally as possible.

You will be provided with a commemorative certificate that you can keep at home. We can agree a suitable form of wording with you at the time.

Contacting us about making a commemorative gift

You can phone us on 01442 841800 or email us at ashridge.estate@nationaltrust.org.uk