FAQs

Nestled in a valley at the northern end of Lake Vyrnwy and near the spectacular Rhiwargor Waterfall, “Vyrnwy Forever” is a special place to pay tribute to a loved one and spend some time with your cherished memories. Each tree has been planted in memory of the life of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion and the trees will in time grow together to become a wonderful home for nature.  

Your donation covers planting a locally grown tree in the meadows or ffridd at the north end of the lake and adjacent to the scenic walk to the spectacular Rhiwargor waterfall. The tree is guaranteed for 10 years, with annual checks, weeding and replacement if necessary.   

You can choose from a variety of native tree species, which will be approximately one metre tall on planting, depending on the species​.  

A slate tag will be affixed to the fenced tree guard with an optional slate keepsake addition with the tree’s unique grid reference to take home.  

You may visit your tree in the peace of Lake Vyrnwy’s Celebration Wood by yourself or with others as often as you like.

The following options are available, depending on time of year and availability. Please contact our Lake Vyrnwy team to check which native tree will be best for you.  

• Sessile Oak – as an ancient native species, oak supports more wildlife than any other tree in the British Isles. It provides habitat for several hundred species of insects, birds and many mosses, liverworts, lichens and more.  
• Downy Birch – a pioneering tree which nurtures its slower growing neighbours to help create woodland, it can grow on poorer soils and supports a diverse range of wildlife.  
• Aspen – identified by its distinctive, shimmering ‘silver spoon’ leaves foliage, Aspen is a tree found in ancient woodland, highly prized on nature reserves and beloved by beavers.  
• Hawthorn – teeming with wildlife from bugs to birds, it can support 300 species of insects and provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. The haws are rich in antioxidants and are eaten by migrating birds, such as Redwings, Fieldfares and Thrushes, as well as small mammals.  
• Rowan - an iconic tree of the fells, also known as Mountain Ash, with bright berries to feed the birds and a wealth of folklore as a protector from harm (and even witchcraft!).  
• Sycamore – a fast growing and long-lived deciduous tree with broad leaves and a thick canopy which provides shelter, food and a habitat for a variety of species including birds, mammals, insects and fungi.
• Crab apple – An important tree for biodiversity with its flowers in spring and fruits in autumn. Crab apple trees also support a variety of important lichens and are very important for pollinators.
• Wild cherry – One of our prettiest native trees, Wild cherry trees can grow up to 30m high and live for 60 years. Their fruits are a vital food source for thrushes and dormice.
• Large-leaved lime – The rarest of our native lime trees, the leaves of Large-leaved lime leaves are a vital food source for caterpillars and other insects such as aphids, as a result this is a great tree for providing prey for birds and ladybirds.
• Hornbeam – The hardy Hornbeam can live up to 300 years and by holding onto to its brown leaves throughout the winter, it provides valuable shelter for wildlife. Hornbeam fruits and seeds are a valuable food source during the autumn and winter for a wide range of animals including birds and small mammals. 

We will help you choose the right tree for the location.  

You are welcome to choose not to have tree markers, we will still know which tree is yours on our planting records.  

You can discuss your specific requirements with one of our team. We will certainly do our best to accommodate your wishes.  

Our recommended period of planting trees is between November and March (weather permitting). Successful planting in months outside of this period is dependent on suitable ground conditions. We don't tend to plant between May and September, as the ground can be too dry, and the tree may struggle to establish itself.  

It's best to discuss this with one of the team. Most locations will be suitable for all species, but we do want to make sure that the most appropriate area for your tree is chosen.  

We will work with you to find a date to plant your tree that suits you. But if you are unable to join us for the planting, we will email a photograph of your tree, its unique number and location. We will fix one of the slate markers on your tree/guard and post the other for you to keep.  

You can make your donation by contacting Anya Hickman., Anya is our Office Manager at Lake Vyrnwy and will guide you through the process from your first enquiry to planting your chosen tree. Contact Anya by phone on 01691 870278, or email  vyrnwyforever@rspb.org.uk

All of your donation will contribute to the RSPB's work at Lake Vyrnwy in enhancing opportunities for nature to thrive and contributing to habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement and climate resilience.

Lake Vyrnwy is a drinking water catchment supplying Liverpool with clean drinking water. This means we cannot accommodate the scattering of ashes.

Due to the sensitivity of habitats and species at Lake Vyrnwy, we don't allow the planting of any flowers during or after the tree planting.  

Vyrnwy Forever is a natural setting and is managed to support the wildlife of Lake Vyrnwy. To protect the site, we don't allow any tributes, including flowers, to be left by the trees and we will have to remove any we find. A slate tag affixed to the tree guard will be offered with the option for an additional slate keepsake to take home with the tree’s unique grid reference.  

In keeping with the wild nature of Lake Vyrnwy we do not use traditional metal plaques. You will instead be offered the opportunity to have a slate tag affixed to the tree guard.  

Each tree comes with a 10-year guarantee. In the unlikely event that the tree should die we will replace the tree free of charge.  

We will not tend the areas around the tree planting other than some annual weeding within the tree guards themselves as the trees get established. These are wild places where we use conservation grazing to manage the habitat. You will be welcome to wonder freely in the areas where trees are planted.  

If we reach our recommended capacity for planted trees, we will explore options to develop further areas elsewhere at Lake Vyrnwy which will also create important habitat corridors.  

The tree will be approximately one metre high (depending on species) when it is planted.  

 No, you do not need to be a member to plant a tree at Vyrnwy Forever.