Treestones
Treestones are basically grave markers in the shape of a tree. Often they will look like tree stumps or logs. Some will have branches. They are usually associated with the Woodmen of the World, and their various associated groups, although using tree-shaped grave markers pre-dates the organization. The treestones of Woodmen will usually include their symbols, and they might be inscribed with “Dum Tacet Clamet” (”though silent he speaks”), or “here rests a Woodman of the World.” Trees, branches and leaves are common symbols of nature in cemeteries.
According to Douglas Keister’s Stories in Stone, treestones were derived from the Victorian rusticity movement, and at one time could be ordered from the Sears and Roebuck catalog.
Photos: (top) the tombstone of Alfred J. Day, Jr. (1892-1908), Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado; (bottom) the grave marker of Louis S. Samuels (1886-1905), Rose Hill Cemetery, Commerce City, Colorado
May 23, 2007 at 8:06 pm
We have boring Woodmen of the World tombstones in Rifle, where I live. But my favorites are at Creede, Colorado, so I talked a friend into photographing one of those so I could show the photo on my annual cemetery tour for the town’s third graders. The Creede tombstones are amazing.
May 24, 2007 at 11:15 am
Good Piece. I hadn’t made the Victorian rustic connection, I’d always assumed it an American invention. Do they have such stones in England, as well? I also was unaware of the Sear Roebuck availability. I’d like to see the catalog.
May 24, 2007 at 11:30 am
Fascinating, as usual. Thanks again!
July 4, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I found your site very informative and educational. I have placed a link on my site for people to learn more about cemetary symbols. I could not find a skull on your site, and the meaning of those on headstones. Do you have any ideas about that?
July 7, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I found your site very intrest . Here -http://community.livejournal.com/cemetery_ru is the blog also about cemeteries. Its in russian, but with many pictures.
August 8, 2007 at 12:09 am
Cool site and I love the pictures. You’d think I’d have my fill of cemeteries (work in one) but my dream would be to travel and take pictures of memorials all over the world. it’s often hard to get a good quality picture of markers but you’ve done a really nice job.
December 18, 2007 at 6:55 am
I jus found your photos via google not your site yet; This stone tree trunk is amazing
….wow… but the granite must have been added later unless he was a very rich person in 1905. please collaborate on this, Thanks for all the knowledge u share and PLEASE HELP those in DAFAR, AFRICA. I never knew that it has been going on since 2003 and the women are actually DYING because the rapes are so brutal everyday that we eat the Mcpoison at the drive trhu and go to our mundane jobs to work all our live for what kind of a retirement check $? ( a non-existence check) while my job is been taken by the chinese and My friend buys a christmas tree from the devil (WALMART) and the tree COMES W/A SET OF GLOVES N THE BOX to put up their christmas cheer (lead laced tree)??? What has come of this America? Im ashamed of that name and the word!!I used to praise AMERICA everyday when I was a child; we pledged alligance to honor and protect and I would/will protect but BUSH/Rumfeild/CHENEY has had our men and women over there term after term for 6 f-ing years; When will it END? The people in Iraq/Packistan are not quitters and the US has done what? Yhose people aint got running water or even electricity? It can’t take six years to place someone into power, granted I know that the (I wanna cal them tribes so badly) the Shitis and Muslim and taliban and all; you know what they all believe the same thing w/so very little differences; they come off as arrogant to me that they cant jus put aside their tiny lil differences in the BIG scheme of things & I am in no way siding w/ Isreal at all. I wonder why Ireal can have nuclear weapons according to the UN but Iran can not? The UN has allowed Dafar to continue for 4 years now, yes many resolution have come about but CHINA has a stake in that country cause they found oil and dont have to rely on USA or Russia anymore so they want to make the Darfur people happy so the Chinese strick down any UN resolution FOR 4 YRS NOW because they have stake & they have very little sympathy is too big a word for those Chinese Rulers; they would piss on their people if they could…HUMAN RIGHTS is non-existance in China it might as well be N Vietnam & people blame Clinton for the merge but I know he didnt think It would grow to this perportion and I blame him jus that much…Giant Corps engulfed China like WALMART and the cycle begins…NOW I DARE U TO GO & buy 3 things on your shopping trip that are made in USA….u will have too work so hard you will be give out but is anyone pulling that card on MRS CLINTON? No, you know why? because they are all bought by the importers. Walmart is throwing money at the canidates because WALMART, Exxon, CISCO, Brandnames are your vote!!! Whom ever hase the most money in the end is sure to win….BUSH JR is a Prime example of Money and Push….OK I think I’m finshd ranting..Thank You!!!!
April 25, 2008 at 8:18 am
Were can you purchace a log monument. We are looking for one for my father inlaws grave. He worked in the logging woods in east tx for many years.
Thank You
Cathy Lowe