The “Memory Tree” in New York leaves no one indifferent (8 photos + 1 video)

Anyone who walks through Central Park in New York and sees this tree does not remain indifferent. This is a pet memory tree. The owners of pets who have passed away leave photographs, toys and other decorations on it in memory of their pets. It is impossible to look at this without emotion.





This memorial tree deep in the Ramble, one of the three wooded areas of Central Park in New York, is decorated for the New Year. On it, owners leave toys and photographs in memory of their favorite animals. This tradition has existed for several decades, but people began to talk about it only recently - before that, the tree was secret, and few knew about it. According to The Times, the tree's history dates back to 1986.



Then, in '86, casting director Jason Reddock came across some dog toys hanging on a tree. The next day he returned there with his beloved, and they left photos of their dead and living dogs. Other passersby followed suit, and a tradition was born. For many years, the couple returned to the tree when the holiday season ended: they collected the decorations, stored them, and a year later hung them back on the tree. Then Reddock’s friend, Marianne Larsen, took up this tradition.





Until 2022, Larsen hung decorations alone. The woman even bought a laminator to preserve photos of her pets for as long as possible. One day, several people saw her at work and offered to help - so the tradition became a collective one. Now a whole team decorates the tree, and the number of decorations grows every year. In 2020, 200 photos were added, in 2021 - another 200, and in 2022 - another 200 toys. According to Marianna's estimates, the "memory tree" is now decorated with photographs of more than 750 pets.



The exact location of the tree remains hidden to prevent too many people from visiting it - so it is not easy to find. It is not on the maps, and there are no signs to it - there are only descriptions of the routes on the forums. It is undoubtedly impossible to just pass by this tree. It evokes genuine emotions, because it stores so many warm memories. According to Marianne, people who once left memorial decorations on the tree sometimes come from other cities to honor the memory of their beloved animals.