Picture of A Maple Tree in Fall
Question:
My brother is getting married soon and he and his soon to be wife just bought their first house too. What I was wondering is for part of their gift we were thinking of buying them a tree to plant in their yard kind of symbolizing love, life, and a new beginning. Do you think this is a good idea and if so what type of tree do you think would be good?
I wanna do a poem with it too, you know that kinda goes with the symbolizing and everything. Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Mandi from Erie
Answer:
What a great idea! I can't think of a better gift. Planting trees is so wonderful because you are truly planting a legacy! Our family always does this for births and deaths, but I have never considered doing it for someone's wedding. Just like flowers express different meanings, there are several great books floating around that contain the spiritual significance of various trees.
Here are a few Celtic meanings for various trees that I found on the web. Don't stop here, though, there are many sources:
- Apple: associated with healing, love, prosperity, innocence and perpetual youth.
- Apricot: Love
- Beech: Stability
- Birch: Protection, purification and new beginnings
- Cedar: Prosperity and longevity
- Dogwood: Charm and finesse
- Elm: Protection
- Fig: Fertility
- Maple: Divination and love
- Mulberry: Knowledge
- Oak: Strength and Money
- Olive: Peace
- Orange: Love and Marriage
- Peach: Love
- Pine: Fertility and Prosperity
More importantly than giving a tree based on a mythical meaning, make sure you choose one that is suitable to the new couple's landscape and hardiness zone. Maybe there is a specific type of tree than holds special significance to them.
Personally, I love apples trees. They give the gift of flowers in the spring and the gift of food in the fall. Plus, they look great in the landscape all year long. A book filled with family "apple" recipes would also make a nice shower gift. And don't forget to top off this gift with a sturdy apple peeler.
Good luck!
Ellen
Kelly
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 233 Feedbacks June 20, 20060 found this helpful
Top Comment
Oh, an apple or plum tree if they have the yard space. Fruit symbolizes fertility and abundance, and they could enjoy it for years to come! Maybe you'll get pies or jam too ;)
By Connie A. (Guest Post)
June 21, 20060 found this helpful
Top Comment
My favorite "Tree" poem has always been:
TREES
by
Joyce Kilmer
( How true only God can make a tree & a marriage)
This is a beautiful poem that will go with any tree that you chose. Just type in "Poem on Trees" in Google and you should get a copy of it. It wouldn't let me copy & paste for you. I agree that a Redbud or Dogwood are great gifts.
You might also ask a nurseryman what they might reccommend since they have such a large selection to chose from. Best wishes to your brother & his future bride.
P.S. I would NOT reccommend a Bradford Pear, although beautiful in the Spring and Fall, the limbs are very weak and any heavy snow or high winds breaks large branches out of them often.
By Angi G (Guest Post)
June 22, 20060 found this helpful
Top Comment
I suggest a dwarf fruit tree if they are to live in a neighborhood of some sort. Preferably an apple tree or cherry. They are two of the easiest to deal with. If they are going to live in a rural area such as I do... I suggest a healthy sturdy oak tree. Because I always wish that the newly married or to be married couple will have a marriage as strong and sturdy and long lasting as an oak tree.
And like my marriage. I have always compared it to an oak tree. I also like the red bud idea, however.. they aren't as strong as other trees.
