Memorialize someone special.

We offer a few different ways to pay tribute to a friend or loved one. Choose a space that's right for you—from our special trees, sitting benches, and picnic tables.

Lathge, beautiful tree alongside a well-worn dirt part, set against a cloudless bright blue sky

$2,500

Name a Tree

Celebrate or remember a friend or loved one by dedicating a tree in one of many collections at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.

Single or collective tribute donations in honor of a person or event that equal $2,500 or more will receive a designated tree along with a commemorative tree tag for a period of 20 years.

Tribute options are pre-determined and include only planted, established trees to ensure longevity and good fit to the landscape. A picture and description of the tribute tree will be available on our "Tribute Tracker" in perpetuity.

Available trees ›
Lathge, beautiful tree alongside a well-worn dirt part, set against a cloudless bright blue sky

$10,000

Name a Bench or Picnic Table

Benches and picnic tables allow visitors to rest and enjoy scenic views at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Name a bench or picnic table in honor of a friend or loved one to ensure that others can appreciate the Arb and Gardens as much as you do.

Single or collective tribute donations that equal the donation amount or more will receive a bench along with a commemorative plaque for a period of 10 years.

Tribute bench locations are pre-determined to fit our long-term landscape design. A picture and description of the tribute bench will be available on our Tribute Tracker in perpetuity.

Available benches & picnic tables ›

How to set up a tribute

Here's the process to find available tributes and set up an agreements
in six simple steps:

Step 1

On ArcGIS, view available tributes using the "Find an Available Bench" or Picnic Table and Find an Available Tree or Plant maps.

Step 2

Once you have located a bench, space, or tree that you like, contact [email protected] or 734.615.9475 with the tribute title listed on the pop-up window (e.g. Available Bench #4 – River Landing).

Step 3

Complete the details of a gift agreement including the tribute/honoree name, funding methods, and plaque inscription.

Step 4

Finalize gift agreement with electronic signatures.

Step 5

Our team will install the plaque on the tree or bench, which will also be replaced or refurbished depending on the state.

Step 6

You will be sent a photo of the tribute and tribute plaque once everything is installed and our tribute tracker will be updated.

Sample tree tag

Your tree tag contains important identifying information about the tree, in addition to the name of the tributee.

You may provide up to three additional lines of text for a tree tag.

Example tree tag

Example tree tag

Sample bench tag

Your bench tag will prominently display the name of the tributee. The italicized text above the name can be customized.

You may provide up to two lines of additional text beneath the name.

Example bench tag

Example bench tag

Memorial Gifts

We can help you set up a direct giving link, where folks can make a gift in memory of or in honor of your loved one. Links will remain active for 3 months, and we can provide a listing of all donations to the link.

Contact us at [email protected] to request a shareable giving link.

Questions?

We are always happy to answer any questions you might have. Please contact us with any questions.

Contact us ›