Bad things can happen to good trees -- But, as we know trees are not always good friends to cemeteries - The level of care for trees may tell us why.

This news article in our local "Sun Newspapers" caught my eye this morning.:

 "Bad things can and do happen to good trees. Always check the credentials of your tree care specialist " 

by Mr. John Palmer

 We have seen posts and comments on cemetery preservation websites and Facebook pages stating the need for adopting appropriate landscaping pratices that benefit the trees and the cemeteries. 

As we have come to learn, however, trees are not always friends to cemeteries and especially the gravestones that dot the cemetery landscape. 

There is a lot to learn!

Hopefully, this guest column will help us better understand how taking care of trees properly, and the importance of consulting with true experts in the field, will pay off in the long run for the trees to have and keep better health and longevity. This article is a good beginning for many of us to learn more about this subject.

Sharing from the Ohio Chapter International Society of Arboriculture in reply to a message sent to them about cemeteries and issues they can have with trees. 

These suggestions may not apply for every cemetery's particular situation or type of ownership, but the information is helpful to have on hand. :

"One recommendation is your local village or city and their tree commission. I am not an arborist but I serve on my village tree commission and we are heavily involved in the needs of the cemetery including pruning and planting. We are blessed that we also have an ISA Certified Arborist who volunteers on that committee. With larger cemeteries, you can sometimes find a local tree care company who will do the work for free or greatly reduced as a community service. You might want to check with some in your area. 

Additionally, I would encourage your readers to serve on their local tree commission. 

If they aren't sure if there is one, then they should contact the city or village administrative office."

Dixie Russell, Executive Director

 Link below to find an arborist in your area.:

FIND AN ARBORIST

John Palmer of Lakewood is a certified Arborist.:

"When bad things happen to good trees"

(Photos above from Linda Jean Limes Ellis

June 21, 2014

Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain, Ohio

following a windstorm the day before.

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Photo below from South Murray Ridge Cemetery

Lorain County, Ohio

June 1, 2016)

....And, What about Trees at Cemeteries? Good or Bad or Both?

First - the Good: 

Sharing this June 12, 2017 story from the "Urbana Daily Citizen" in Champaign County, Ohio entitled:  "Planting Leaves of Comfort" by Joshua Keeran about the Woodstock Lions Club's mission to plant 100 new trees within a five year period at two Rush Township Cemeteries - Maple Grove Cemetery located just outside of North Lewisburg and the Woodstock Cemetery.  

Both cemeteries are active / registered cemeteries with newer burials and frequent visitors, which is important to note. 

As stated in the article: 

“The ash trees are gone, the maples are dying of old age, and no one is replanting trees to restore the natural beauty of the cemeteries,” said Woodstock Lions Club President Tim Kemper. “These cemeteries were plotted on peaceful parcels of land over two centuries ago.

“Visiting a cemetery to pay respects to loved ones is an emotional experience that can be enhanced listening to the breeze blow through the leaves of the trees, and the shade provided can be soothing on hot days,” he added."

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Next, the Bad:

But, what about the adverse events that so often strike trees over time that cause them to lose large limbs or even topple completely over?  Afterward a once tranquil (and safe!) scene will become a devastated landscape of scattered damaged and destroyed gravestones lying beneath downed branches and heavy limbs. 

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AND,

Trees do need some TLC as we know. 

Photos below are from the South Murray Ridge Cemetery in Lorain County, Ohio where there are several mature trees, however, many have not been routinely pruned.  Over time trees grow and their roots surround and encroach the markers and monuments as shown below.

(Also, gravestones under trees tend to develop more lichens and moss on them.)

 The large monument below is barely visible now.

It is tightly squeezed between two large bushes that have been

left unattended and allowed to become huge!

 If this one large tree to the right shown below became uprooted and toppled over, how many

grave markers would be destroyed? 

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Thus, I think we can see that trees are not the best of friends for cemeteries or grave markers due to several reasons although they provide welcome shade and some coolness on bright sunny hot days for those visiting them.  

It is important that caretakers properly and routinely care for the trees as well as the cemetery grounds so neither are neglected.