Memorial Tree Planted in Riverside Park
Remembering All Who Have Gone Before Us.
Planting a memorial tree is a thoughtful way to honor a loved one and their legacy, serving as a powerful symbol of grief and mourning while also representing the continuation of life, growth, and resilience.
On October 2, 2024, a beautiful Weeping Willow Tree was planted in Riverside Park to serve as a tangible and living tribute to the loved and lost family, friends, and members of Explorers Credit Union, allowing their memory to endure through the tree’s lifespan.
Why a Willow?
The idea came to the Explorers team after they had to take down some trees in the lot south of the Yankton Branch. “We needed more room for our remodel and some of our established trees had to go,” stated Explorers CEO, April Tompkins. The Explorers team wanted to do something special to replace the trees that had been lost, as well as honor and pay tribute to the loved ones that had been lost through the years. “Once we had the idea to plant a tree, we wanted to do our research and make sure we picked something that had meaning. We held a survey among our team members and the Willow Tree was the top choice.”
According to the South Dakota Geological Survey (sdgs.usd.edu), Willow trees can be found throughout South Dakota. Some species, such as the peachleaf willow and the coyote willow, are native across the entire state. Others, such as the plane leaf willow, are restricted to only a small area of the Black Hills.
The tallest willow in the United States is the crack willow located in Macomb County, Michigan measuring 122 feet tall and a branch spread of 124 feet. In South Dakota, the tallest willow tree is a 65 foot tall weeping willow located in Sioux Falls, SD. The tree is 134 inches in circumference and has a crown spread of 35 feet.
The willow planted in Riverside Park is a Niobe Weeping Willow, expected to reach up to 50 feet tall by 50 feet wide. A Niobe Weeping Willow is a fast-growing, cold-hardy tree that can live for 50 years or more under ideal conditions. It has a wide-spreading crown with long drooping branches and should thrive in our South Dakota conditions.
In a private tree planting ceremony that took place in Riverside Park on Wednesday, October 2nd, the Explorers team joined together to plant the tree. A memorial stone was created by Luken Memorials of Yankton and the City of Yankton helped with placement, planting, and overseeing care for the tree.
What is the cultural significance of the willow tree?
Throughout history, the willow tree is often associated with healing, flexibility, inner wisdom, and connection to spirituality. Native American tribes utilized its bark for medicinal purposes and incorporate its branches into ceremonies. Its pliability suggests meekness and humility. Because of its intertwining branches, it is often associated with friendship. In many cultures, the weeping willow symbolizes both grief and endurance. Their branches bend under great pressure and resist breaking, just as you do. Life can be a lot to handle, but you are strong. Stronger than you ever give yourself credit for.
Where can you find the Explorers Memorial Tree?
The tree is located in Yankton’s Riverside Park, just south of the Yankton Baseball Field and west of the Riverside Park Boat Ramp. A the tree grows, it will be a great spot to stop, rest, and reflect under its branches.
