Bloomington Tree Fund
The Bloomington Tree Fund was established to assist in the support of the Urban Forestry Program. The Tree Fund supports annual Arbor Day celebrations, volunteer tree plantings on public property, and urban forestry education.
Any amount may be contributed at any time to the Bloomington Tree Fund. All Bloomington Tree Fund gifts are tax deductible as prescribed by law.
Bloomington TREE FUND
Indiana's First Tree City
Bloomington was recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1984 as Indiana's first Tree City USA. Bloomington has each year since 1984 successfully met all the criteria necessary to keep its Tree City USA designation such as a tree board or department. In 2021, Bloomington was recognized as a Tree City of the World. They have continued to be recognized every year since. Bloomington has also qualified for the Tree City Growth Award since 2018 and continues to strive for urban forestry excellence.
Memorial/Honorary Tree Program
Remember a loved one or honor someone with a donation to the Bloomington Tree Fund, or with the purchase of a tree to be planted in one of Bloomington's city parks. The Memorial/ Honorary Tree package includes one tree, a 16" × 16" engraved limestone plaque, and maintenance of the tree after it is planted. The Parks and Recreation Department provides maintenance for the lifetime of the tree, and will replace trees if they die within 15 years after planting, or are damaged. Plaques are warranted for five years against theft or damages. In the event of future park development, your tree may be relocated or replanted. Bloomington Parks and Recreation reserves the right to relocate trees within a park or to another city park.
Due to limitations of seasonal weather fluctuations and impromptu planting schedules, it is not possible to schedule ceremonies at the time of tree planting or plaque setting.
Exact planting locations within parks are determined by the city's urban forester to ensure the tree is in the proper location to grow and thrive. Donors may choose potential tree planting sites from aerial photos provided by the urban forester.
Installation of personal plaques, markers, etc. at the planting sites of honorary/memorial trees is not permitted. Small, tasteful, unobtrusive decorations are permitted as long as they do not become unsightly, unkempt, or present an obstacle to grounds maintenance. The City of Bloomington and its staff are not responsible for maintaining decorations, or for decorations that are vandalized, damaged, removed, or stolen.
Memorial/Honorary Tree orders received between October 1 and April 30 will be planted in the spring pending weather conditions. Orders received between May 1 and September 30 will be planted in the fall pending weather conditions. All plaques have a date of manufacture in the lower right hand corner.
Contact and Payment Information
For more information about the Bloomington Tree Fund, or about purchasing a Memorial/ Honorary Tree, contact
Haskell Smith, Urban Forester
Bloomington Tree Fund
P.O. Box 848
Bloomington, IN 47402
Phone: 812-349-3716
Email: smithh@bloomington.in.gov
Website: bloomington.in.gov/treecare
Make checks payable to and mail to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation
Attn: Bloomington Tree Fund
P.O. Box 848
Bloomington, IN 47402
Tree Donor
o Memorial Tree and Plaque: $1,800
Includes one tree, engraved 16" x 16" limestone plaque, and maintenance of tree after planting.
o Plaque or Tree: $700
Includes one plaque on existing tree or planting a new tree without a plaque.
o Honorary Tree: $300
Includes one tree planted in a restoration area of choice. Photo and location provided after planting.
o Tree Fund Donation
Amount $____________
Memorial/Honorary Tree Preferences
Indicate first two choices for each.
Plaque Personalization
Limit 3 lines, 25 characters per line. Note: Spaces between words count as a character.
