General History & Lore
You may have heard of Husband & Wife Trees, Bride & Groom Trees, or Twin Trees. The planting of these trees was a common tradition in the early to mid-1800s. Some of those trees are still growing today! Like the Bride & Groom Bald Cypress trees of Lewes, Delaware. The lore behind the Bride & Groom Trees of Lewes, DE, is slightly different, because it's said that the bride & groom never did marry. That is another story for another time.
Bride & Groom Trees are sometimes seen as the conjoining of two trees of the same species that are then planted to commemorate a marriage or the start of a new home. As the trees grow and mature, they are grafted together, becoming one, and can often be seen near the entrance of the homes where they were planted. Other times, they are grown side by side and left to grow freely of their own accord.
In Tokyo, Japan, there are a couple of trees growing side by side at the Meiji Jingu Shrine. The trees are known as Meoto Kusu. Meoto translates to married couple. The Husband & Wife Camphor Trees are joined together by a sacred rope, called a shimenawa. The connection by the rope represents the sanctity of marriage, symbolizes the hope for a happy, long-lasting marriage, and a healthy family.
Buffalo Rock State Park's Wedding Trees
Similarly, Wedding Trees, seen sometimes as a single tree or two trees, represent eternal love, and the union of two becoming one in marriage. Once mature, they often become a destination where wedding celebrations occur, offering not only a beautiful backdrop for photos but a reminder of the bride and groom's familial roots now becoming one, the hope for their lasting love to grow and flourish, and the story that their love and family tree will tell for generations to come.
Back in the fall of 2025, the iTrees.com crew teamed up with Spring Grove Nursery and IL DNR to plant a beautiful grove of trees at Buffalo Rock State Park! These trees are set to thrive, bringing joy to visitors and wildlife for years to come!
One of the special things we did was plant Wedding Trees! Our crew planted two healthy White Oak trees side by side, showcasing their brilliant, deep red fall colors. The State Park's vision is to create a serene gathering spot for weddings and memorable photo opportunities for couples! These trees come after the loss of a beloved singular Wedding Tree. An old oak tree that became a landmark known for its majestic, wide-spreading branches. It was a popular place for newlywed couples to take wedding pictures. Sadly, the tree was damaged in a 2017 tornado and has since been removed.
As these freshly planted White Oak trees mature, they will not only provide shade, but also soon will symbolize the steadfast love and loyalty between two people coming together to create a lasting union. Together, the trees will tell a keepsake story for generations to come, left imprinted on hearts and on photographs. What an honor it was to be part of this project! These trees will be cherished for a long time!
Be sure to head over to Buffalo Rock State Park and check out these incredible trees for yourself, and show them a little love!
📸 2025 by Becky Thomas of SGN Trees
Delaware Today | The History of the Bride and Groom Cypress Trees in Lewes
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