Many botanical gardens have “Adopt a Tree” programs and the St. Johns Botanical Garden has one as well. Our Adopt a Tree program is a way to support the garden while attaching a deep meaning to a tree. Your adopted tree could be a memento of a special day such as a retirement, anniversary, graduation, promotion, wedding or the birth, or loss, of a love one.
When you adopt a tree, you support the entire garden. It’s a way to make a gesture to preserve not only that tree into the future but the future of all the trees here at the garden. A tree adoption lasts for one year, after which you will be given the first chance to re-sponsor before it is offered to others. Costs for adoption vary based upon the size or rarity of the tree, and they are divided into levels. Long Term adoptions are also available: You may adopt a tree for 5, 10 or 20 years if you choose, with 5, 10 or 20% off the annual fee respectively: When adopt a tree, you will receive:
- An official donation receipt for tax purposes,
- An adoption certificate,
- A plaque, stone or other marker placed at the base of the tree with the name of the tree and any words of commemoration or inspiration (pending approval of the garden staff)
Please remember that a tree is a living organism and that while some trees live for hundreds of years, death or disease may require removal or replacement of that tree to complete the adoption term.
LEVELS OF ADOPTION:
Seedling to Sapling..The baby tree. Even though this is the entry level of adoption, this is perhaps the most popular, and the most fun! By adopting a “baby” or sapling tree, you get to watch it grow, and support it along the way. And if children are involved, they can grow together! The fee to adopt a baby tree is $100 per year. Many of the young palms and cycads are particularly suitable for this king of adoption, and doing so may help to preserve an endangered species as well! If you adopt a baby tree for a long term, say twenty years, you maybe sponsoring quite a large tree for a very small amount per year.
Teenager… A tree known to be between 10 and 20 years old, It’s starting to look like an adult but still acts like a juvenile in the sense that it is still growing rapidly and hasn’t reproduced yet. Adoption fee for a teenager is $200 per year. Like human teenagers they are guaranteed not to listen to you and grow their own way.
Mature Tree.. A tree that is reproducing and has reached adult size, even though they may grow much larger. Probably greater than 20 years old. Many very attractive mid-size palms and other trees fall into this category, and these are the most important trees in the garden as they have withstood the test of time and climate changes! Adoption fee varies based upon the size and rarity of the tree.
Monster Tree.. Very large tree likely to be at least 50 to 75 years old but may be 200 to 400 years old! Adoption fee varies from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. The stunning silver Bismark Palm in the heart of the botanical garden and the massive live oak trees in the circular drive area are examples of such trees!
TO ADOPT A TREE, contact us by phone at: (904) 293-7370 or contact a board member.