Few natural resources bring joy and life to a green space like the trees which create a canopy of shade in our historic landscape. From those that flower in the spring to those whose leaves fall to our feet in the autumn, each tree on our property is a gift we preserve for generations to come.

Did you know it takes years of care and watering to ensure a young tree transplanted to the cemetery can take root and thrive? We partner with other nonprofit organizations like Casey Trees and work with hundreds of volunteers annually to help ensure the health of all trees on our property.

Your tree sponsorship not only honors your loved one but provides the opportunity for others to experience our urban oasis by ensuring each tree gets the love and care it needs to thrive. Your sponsorship also greatly aids the cemetery as it works to become a certified arboretum, which opens further avenues of funding for the site

Become an HCC Tree Sponsor

We invite you to invest in the lush tree canopy that surrounds Historic Congressional Cemetery by becoming an official HCC Tree Sponsor. This is more than a sponsorship; it’s a personal commitment to protecting the health and future of this beautiful urban oasis as we seek to become an official, accredited, arboretum.
When you become an HCC Tree Sponsor, you help:

  • Sustain the beauty of our historic, spiritual grounds through long-term care and monitoring of the trees
  • Combat climate change on the front line
  • Provide essential habitat for pollinators that power our beekeeping program and other wildlife that call the cemetery home
  • Preserve the year-round splendor of our tree canopy – from spectacular fall foliage, to austere winter beauty, and the cherry blossoms that mark the promise of Spring.



What are the details?

Anyone can become an HCC Tree Sponsor! Just click here.

Sponsorships range from $600 – $5,000 and are available for nearly any tree on our grounds (except for the lucky trees that have already been “claimed” by another tree-lover!) The sponsorship rate is determined by the tree’s size, age, and location within the cemetery. Just let us know if there is a specific tree you’d like to sponsor that is not on the list below.

Can I personalize my sponsored tree?

When you become a sponsor, HCC will create a custom plaque with the tree’s scientific name and two lines of personalized text of your choosing. This is an enduring opportunity to honor loved ones, celebrate milestones, or give a sustainable gift. If you choose to dedicate a tree in memory or honor of a beloved, HCC can send a custom card to notify them of your kind gesture.

Are there some trees in more urgent need of sponsorship?
We especially encourage sponsorship of our pollinator-friendly trees, which directly support the health of our honeybees and support the habitat of our local wildlife. See below for a list of priority pollinator-friendly trees and fall foliage icons that need sponsorship.

Join the Club!

You enter a special cohort at HCC when you become a Tree Sponsor. In recognition of your dedication to the tree canopy and the cemetery overall, you will be invited to special seasonal tours and enjoy other benefits such as early access to Soul Strolls 2026 tickets! And, new in Fall 2025, Tree Sponsors get one jar of honey in recognition of their role in supporting the hives.

Need more info?
We’re with you on your sponsorship journey. Simply email staff@congressionalcemetery.org with Tree Sponsorship in the subject, and we’ll be in touch to answer all of your questions.

Current Tree Sponsorship Opportunities:

Among the earliest trees to bloom each spring, the Okame Cherry dazzles with clouds of vivid pink blossoms that brighten the cemetery and signal the arrival of a new season.

A hardy and graceful tree, the Chinese Elm is beloved for its arching canopy, mottled bark, and resilience in urban environments, making it a long-lasting symbol of shade and shelter.

Known for its breathtaking early spring display, the Saucer Magnolia produces enormous pink-and-white blossoms that transform the landscape into a dramatic, living work of art.

Revered as one of the best pollinator trees, the Linden fills the air with the fragrance of its yellow blossoms in early summer, drawing honeybees that support our apiary and creating a sensory experience for all visitors.

Famous for its fiery autumn hues, the Sugar Maple sets the landscape ablaze with brilliant oranges and golds, creating one of the most dazzling displays of fall foliage on our grounds.

A classic symbol of fall in the Mid-Atlantic, the Red Maple bursts into vibrant shades of scarlet and crimson each autumn, adding depth and drama to the cemetery’s seasonal beauty.

One of the tallest native trees of the eastern U.S., the Tulip Poplar produces tulip-shaped flowers in spring and brilliant golden leaves in fall, combining stature with seasonal beauty.

Once a dominant species in American forests, the American Chestnut is now rare due to blight, and planting one supports restoration efforts while honoring a tree that was once called the “redwood of the East.”

Majestic and enduring, the Swamp White Oak is prized for its longevity, strong branches, and stunning fall foliage, and as a designated Witness Tree pre-dating the Civil War, it stands as a lasting marker of history and resilience.

  • Cemetery grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk

  • Cemetery office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm