From Tree to Vessel to Tree Again
Our Tree‑Planting Project in Santiam State Forest, Oregon
When you purchase an urn from Afterlife Vessel, you help restore a forest that was deeply affected by the 2020 Labor Day fires. For every urn ordered, we fund the planting of one tree in Oregon’s Santiam State Forest through our reforestation partner, Ecodrive.
The vessel itself was once a tree. Now, a new tree grows as a living memorial, reaching toward light, seeding again, creating a lush forest that keeps us breathing. It's a small gesture, but it closes a circle: from tree to vessel to tree again.
This project is part of a long‑term effort to bring life back to a landscape that was severely damaged, supporting both the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
Why Oregon’s Santiam State Forest?
Oregon’s forests are some of the most biodiverse in North America. For decades, fire suppression and rising temperatures have built up the conditions for “megafires”, very large, intense wildfires that are difficult to control.
In 2020, powerful Labor Day windstorms helped ignite multiple megafires across the state. These fires:
- Burned large areas of working forest
- Damaged or destroyed wildlife habitat
- Disrupted local communities and recreation areas
Santiam State Forest was one of the hardest‑hit regions. The reforestation work we support focuses specifically on this forest, helping it transition from a burned landscape back to a functioning, resilient ecosystem.
Who We Partner With
Our trees are planted through a collaborative project involving:
- Ecodrive – our reforestation partner, who connects businesses like ours to verified, on‑the‑ground restoration projects.
- Arbor Day Foundation – one of the largest nonprofit membership organizations dedicated to planting trees and advancing tree‑based conservation.
- Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) – the state agency responsible for managing Santiam State Forest and overseeing large‑scale restoration after the fires.
Verification is handled by veritree, a platform that tracks planting using ground data, photos, and geospatial tools. This helps ensure that trees are actually planted, monitored, and surviving over time, not just promised.
What Is Being Planted
The project focuses on re‑creating a healthy, climate‑resilient version of the forest that was there before the fires.
A mix of native and climate‑adapted species is planted, including:
- Douglas‑fir
- Noble fir
- Western red cedar
These species:
- Reflect the original forest composition
- Are chosen for their ability to handle changing conditions such as higher temperatures and periods of drought
- Help rebuild a stable forest canopy and long‑term habitat
Planting is combined with natural regeneration, meaning crews support both planted seedlings and naturally returning trees where appropriate.
How the Restoration Process Works
The restoration work follows a clear, repeatable process:
Assessment:
After the fires, specialists assess burn severity, soil conditions, and safety, deciding where planting is needed and where the forest can recover naturally.
Site preparation and planting:
Crews prepare the soil and plant selected seedlings across targeted areas of Santiam State Forest.
Verification and monitoring:
- Trees are typically planted within 6–8 months of funds being committed.
- An initial verification is carried out about 3–4 months after planting, checking that trees are in the ground and establishing.
- Ongoing monitoring uses satellite data and field surveys to track survival and growth over time.
- Annual reporting summarizes how many trees have been planted and how the forest is progressing.
This combination of planting, verification, and long‑term monitoring is designed to support climate‑adapted forestry, forests that can better withstand future changes in temperature and rainfall.
Why This Project Matters
Reforesting Santiam State Forest delivers benefits on several levels:
Ecological restoration
- Rebuilds forest canopy after severe fire
- Stabilizes soils to help prevent erosion and landslides
- Supports healthy watersheds that are important for trout and salmon
Wildlife habitat
As the forest returns, it provides habitat for a wide range of species, including:
- Deer and elk
- Cougar and bear
- Birds such as the Northern Spotted Owl
These habitats take years to rebuild, making long‑term projects like this especially important.
Climate resilience
- Native and climate‑tolerant species improve drought resistance
- Restored forests help store carbon over time
- Healthier forests are more resilient to future megafires
Community and economy
- Reforestation supports Oregon’s forestry sector with more sustainable, long‑term timber resources
- Restoration work helps maintain jobs and economic activity in rural communities connected to the forest
What Your Purchase Supports
When you choose an urn from our store, you are:
- Funding the planting of one tree in the Santiam State Forest reforestation project through Ecodrive
- Supporting a project overseen by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Arbor Day Foundation
- Contributing to verified, trackable restoration work that is monitored over time
For us, this is more than a line on a website. It’s a way for each life remembered through an urn to also support a living landscape - continuing, in its own quiet way, to grow, to shelter, and to breathe for others.