Amid the quiet beauty of Maine’s balsam forests, families of fallen heroes find solace in a unique and enduring memorial. Wreaths Across America, known for its mission to honor veterans through wreath-laying ceremonies, has established the Remembrance Tree Program—a way for Gold Star families to create a lasting tribute to their loved ones.

Each year, thousands of balsam tips are harvested to craft the wreaths placed upon the graves of veterans nationwide. As families visit the land where these evergreens grow, they experience a deep sense of peace. Inspired by these moments, Wreaths Across America introduced the Remembrance Tree Program, allowing families to select and dedicate a living memorial tree in honor of their loved one.

Through this program, families can visit the balsam forests, choose a tree, and affix a personalized dog tag to its trunk. This tree remains in production, with its balsam tips harvested every three years—continuing the cycle of remembrance. Each December, the greenery from these trees is used to create wreaths, ensuring that veterans are honored year after year.

“We created the Remembrance Tree Program because we wanted to find a way to recognize veterans and their families in a more permanent way,” says Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. “This endless forest is a truly visual representation of our unwavering commitment to our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

Families can honor a loved one by participating in the Remembrance Tree Program.
Complete the form below to have a dog tag created and attached to a Remembrance Tree. These trees produce the balsam tips used in wreaths placed on veterans’ gravestones during Wreaths Across America Ceremonies each December.

If you are unable to join in person, Wreaths Across America will place the tag on your behalf and email a photo. Tags are placed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Limit to 5 lines, with 15 characters per line (including spaces and punctuation).
• The program is FREE, but donations are welcome.

For more information or to dedicate a tree, call 1-877-385-9504 or visit Wreaths Across America.