Planting Memorial Trees and Celebration Trees in Arizona
Plant a Tree in Arizona as a Living Tribute
Planting a ponderosa pine in an Arizona forest is a heartfelt way to honor a memory or celebrate a special occasion while giving back to the planet. Known for their resilience and beauty, these iconic pines thrive in Arizona’s rugged landscapes, providing essential habitat for wildlife, improving air quality, and restoring fire-damaged forests. With their towering stature and vibrant green needles, ponderosa pines symbolize strength, growth, and renewal—a living tribute that will stand tall for generations to come. By planting a tree, you’re not only commemorating your loved one or milestone but also contributing to the restoration of these cherished natural spaces.
Sheridan Fire Restoration
The Sheridan Fire burned 21,482 acres in 2019 in the Camp Wood area of Prescott National Forest. The majority of the fire burned through Pinyon-Juniper evergreen shrub and chaparral vegetation types, however about 3,500 acres burned through ponderosa pine forests on the east side of the fire. This tree planting project will be the first planting on the Prescott National Forest in 10 years and will start with an initial planting in 2023 of 100 acres. A total of 30,000 trees will be planted within the Stringtown Wash watershed which is identified as a priority watershed on the Prescott National Forest. These ponderosa pine ecosystems were burned at high severity and the fire was standing replacing. This area is a transitional pine ecosystem and with limited seed sources available, it is expected that the area will convert to a chaparral ecosystem for the next 100+ years.
The Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous red rocks of Sedona and Ponderosa Pine forests to alpine tundra. Home to herds of elk and antelope, bald eagles, and osprey, the forest supports a delicate ecosystem of plants and animals that depend on the area’s trees for food, shelter, and climate control.
In June 2010, a large wildfire, known as the Schultz Fire, burned over 15,000 acres, including Schultz Peak. The suspected cause is a campfire left unattended, and the fire grew rapidly due to high winds, requiring the Coconino County sheriff to close U.S. 89 and evacuate 748 homes, an animal shelter, Sunset Crater, and Wupatki National Monument. 300 firefighters responded, including personnel from the U.S. Forest Service to control the massive blaze. Researchers at Northern Arizona University have put the financial impact of a 2010 wildfire and subsequent flooding at more than $130 million and one teenager lost their life in the flooding.
The Camp Wood area of the Prescott National Forest is a beautiful, shaded Ponderosa Pine forest and is a popular recreation area for the people of Prescott, Chino Valley, and Phoenix. The area is home to elk, mule deer, and wild turkey and is a habitat for the Northern Goshawk, which is a species of concern in the USDA Forest Service Region 3.