Sussex based Wedding and Funeral Celebrant Mark Inscoe on the symbolism and environmental significance of choosing a Tree-planting ceremony as part of special day.
The short winter days and cold weather often inspire us to contemplate Spring and Summer – the time of renewal and growth, when nature is at its finest, dream landscapes lush with oxygenating flora.
I am an environmentally conscious, Brighton-based civil Wedding and Funeral Celebrant. I live and work frequently in the Southeast of England. I love that the South Downs is now designated as a British National Park, helping to protect and preserve its ecosystems.
Couples are embracing the beauty of nature and their commitment to the environment by choosing native British trees for symbolic planting ceremonies. These rituals not only connect to the deep-rooted meanings of local trees but also signify a dedication to eco-friendly love. As a wedding celebrant, I encourage these unique ceremonies, each one telling a story using the roots, branches, and blossoms of our native trees.
Here are just six examples of native British tree species, the saplings of which could be chosen for a symbolic tree-planting, each one symbolising different characteristics.
English Oak:
Strength and Endurance.
The English Oak stands tall and strong, symbolising the enduring strength needed for lasting love. As couples plant the English Oak, they not only sow the seeds of a resilient relationship but also contribute to the preservation of native woodlands, emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship. A lovely gesture to guests, can be to include an acorn as a ‘wedding favour’.
Apple Tree:
Fertility and Sweet Beginnings
The Apple Tree, with its promise of future harvests, symbolises fertility and sweet beginnings. By choosing an Apple Tree, couples express their desire for a life together filled with abundance while also acknowledging the role trees play in fostering a healthy ecosystem.
Silver Birch:
Fresh Starts and Pure Intentions.
The delicate Silver Birch represents new beginnings and purity. Planting a Silver Birch sapling signifies the couple’s commitment to a fresh start, grounded in pure intentions, and contributes to the promotion of biodiversity in their local environment.
Hazel Tree:
Wisdom and Prosperity.
The Hazel Tree, known for its wisdom and connection to prosperity, adds a unique element to the ceremony. Couples choosing a Hazel express their commitment to nurturing a wise and prosperous relationship, rooted in the values of nature.
Willow Tree:
Flexibility and Adaptability. The Willow Tree, with its gracefully bending branches, symbolises flexibility and adaptability. Couples choosing a Willow express their commitment to navigating life’s twists and turns, all while contributing to the conservation of wetland habitats where willows often flourish.
Beech Tree:
Strength in Unity.
The Beech Tree, known for its strong, interconnected roots, symbolises strength in unity. Planting a Beech sapling signifies the couple’s commitment to building a robust, interconnected life together, mirroring the resilience and community found in thriving woodland ecosystems.
Symbolic planting mini-ceremonies can be a great way to enhance not only marriage ceremonies, but other life ceremonies :
Naming Ceremony:
In baby naming ceremonies, the choice of a specific tree carries significance for parental aspirations; particular personality traits for their new arrival – symbolism of the growth, strength, and uniqueness of the baby being introduced into the family.
Funeral Ceremony:
While funerals are often somber occasions, the planting of a sapling in memory of a loved one can offer solace and perpetuate their legacy, through a physical, living reminder.
An ideal opportunity for a tree-planting to commemorate a loved one, would be at a Celebration of Life Ceremony.
An increasingly popular choice for interment or ash scattering, is a Natural Burial Ground. One of the loveliest sites in the South Downs, is Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground, near Burgess Hill. These facilities may offer the chance to plant a tree or shrub on the burial plot, or within a nearby designated area. However, it’s important to note that, in most cases, only species native to each specific ecosystem are allowed to be planted in the ground.
Dame Judi Dench, famously, has a passion for trees. She plants a new tree, named in memory of a friend or relative who has passed. I was deeply moved to hear that she has a tree named after a very close friend of mine, Stephen Hanley, who died in 1997. They worked together in the musical ‘A Little Night Music’, at the National Theatre.
Native British trees offer a richness of symbolism that enhance ceremonies. They also provide an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment.
The tree-planting ceremony is a beautiful and symbolic addition to a wedding ceremony, representing the growth and endurance of the couple’s love. Each tree chosen becomes a living metaphor, illustrating the couple’s values, hopes, and dreams, while also contributing to the health of the planet.
The planting ceremony :
Here’s a description of how the tree-planting ceremony typically unfolds within the wedding celebration.
As the ceremony progresses, after the exchange of vows and rings, as your celebrant I will introduce the tree-planting ceremony. I explain the significance of this ritual, highlighting the connection between the chosen tree and the couple’s journey ahead.
A symbolic planting ceremony is ideal for an outdoor wedding celebration, but can easily be performed indoors too. The couple approach a table, or an area designated for the tree-planting ceremony.
- Preparation: I will explain the steps involved in planting the tree and invite the couple to join hands, signifying their unity and shared commitment. They may also wish to involve family members or close friends, signifying the support network that will nurture and protect the couple’s relationship.
- Planting the Tree: If planting in the ground, the couple digs a hole together with a small shovel or spade, representing the groundwork they are laying for their shared life. It may be more convenient, (and usually less messy!) to plant the sapling into a large pot, with fresh soil/compost in another container next to it. As they plant the tree, I may read out relevant passages, poems, or blessings that reflect the chosen tree’s symbolism and its connection to the couple’s journey. A special chrome or silver-plated symbolic trowel and/or chrome-plated watering can can be purchased for the ceremony and then kept as souvenir mementos.
- Unity Soil or Water: Some couples choose to incorporate additional elements into the ceremony, such as unity soil or water. They may collect soil from significant places in their lives (e.g., childhood homes) or use water from meaningful sources (e.g., a river representing the flow of time). Adding these elements to the planting symbolises the integration of their individual histories into the new life they are creating together.
- Watering and Nurturing: Once the tree is planted, the couple waters it together. This act of nurturing the tree becomes a symbol of their commitment to nurture and care for their relationship over time. They may also invite guests to participate in this act, fostering a sense of community support.
- Closing Blessing: To conclude the tree-planting ceremony, as celebrant, I will offer a closing blessing or words of encouragement, tying together the symbolism of the tree with the couple’s vows and the journey they are embarking upon. The planted tree, now a living symbol of their love, will continue to grow and flourish, much like their relationship.
- Documentation: Some couples choose to commemorate the ceremony by documenting the event. This can include taking a photograph with the tree, marking the tree’s location on a map, or even providing guests with small saplings to plant in their own homes, creating a collective and lasting memory.
The tree-planting ceremony adds a touch of nature and symbolism to the wedding, creating a lasting and tangible representation of the couple’s commitment to grow and nurture their love throughout their married life.
If you would like to discuss having a symbolic tree-planting as a featured part of your ceremony, or any other symbolic action, then –
I look forward to sharing my expert knowledge with you to create the most perfect personalised ceremony for you.
Your Day ~ Your Way
