Memorial Tree & Bench Program

The City of Kentwood has opportunities available to honor your loved ones by purchasing a memorial bench or a tree.

Memorial Trees

Memorial trees are a great way to honor a loved one. Memorial trees must be purchased through the City and can be done so at any time throughout the year. However, the trees will only be planted in the spring and fall of each calendar year in conjunction with the City's tree planting cycle.

As the purchaser of a memorial tree, you may choose a general location and species at the time of purchase. After installation, purchasers will be notified of the exact location of their specific memorial tree.

7The total cost of a memorial tree is $700, which includes the purchase and installation of a tree, a small engraved memorial plaque and a 1-year warranty.

Allowable Species for Tree Program:

• Desirable Tree Species in the Vicinity of Overhead Line: Amur Maple, Eastern Redbud, Kousa Dogwood, Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn, Washington Hawthorn, Mountain Ash, Spring Snow Crabapple, Sugar Tyme Crabapple and Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac

• Desirable Tree Species Where Overhead Utility Lines are NOT Present: Amur Maple, Tatarian Maple, Red Maple, Kousa Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn, Washington Hawthorn, Spring Snow Crabapple, Sugar Tyme Crabapple, Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac, Sugar Maple, Bradford Pear, Little Leaf Linden, Greenspire Linden, Maple, Honey Locust and Village Green

Memorial Benches

Memorial benches are another way to memorialize a loved one in the City's parks and other spaces. Memorial benches must be purchased through the City and can be done so at any time throughout the year. Weather permitting, the installation of the benches can only be completed from April to October.

The City offers a black metal bench with a small engraved memorial plaque. The City and the purchaser will agree upon where it will be placed. 

The total cost of a memorial bench is $3,000, which includes the bench, the small engraved memorial plaque and installation.

Additional Information

The memorial tree and bench program is governed by the City's donation policy, which can be found here.

To apply, please fill out a Donation Agreement Form and email to Val Romeo at romeov@kentwood.us or mail a paper application to:

Mayor's Office
City of Kentwood
PO Box 8848
Kentwood, MI 49518 

If you have any questions, please contact Val Romeo at romeov@kentwood.us or 616.656.5275.