Trees help us to mourn, heal, remember and reflect.

Photo Credit: Canadian Elms in the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour. Moorabool Shire Council   ................................................................................................................................................

Planting a tree in memory of a life lived is one of the most respectful things you can do to recognise love & loss. In its growth, a tree helps to process loss and puts perspective on living beyond the loss in a positive way.

This ANZAC day, we will remember our fallen heroes, our military men and women who have and continue to bravely serve us in combat around the world, as well as those displaced by war, their families and friends.

Beyond that, we ask that you also spare a thought for the way in which we show our respect; through ceremonies, dawn services, and contributing to the community, in fundraising for veterans and their families, in RSL gatherings, and in community services in parks and around significant memorials.

Our Avenues of Honour were mostly established post the Boer War and then prior to and during WW1, and sit prominently in cities and regional towns throughout the country. These may be war commemorations you pass every day, without realising their significance.

Sadly over time, some memorial trees have died or been uprooted. Others have survived but are neglected. The race is on to ensure the remaining trees are documented, preserved and restored.

In this article Greg Moore details what is being done and urges all of this to assist in the restoration of these living memorials, so important to the backdrop of our towns and cities and embedded in our Australian psyche.

For more information and to assist in this program, now in its 17th year, please visit the TREENET website.

Speciality Trees is a member of TREENET.