Tree stone monument

I was down at Spring Grove Cemetery again this afternoon. The focus of todays tour was the tree stone monuments, which were a feature of Victorian times. For many cultures, the tree is a symbol of life. Conversely, a dead tree represents the opposite. Therefore, Victorian treestones were usually depicted as a dead tree trunk. Often, as in this example, the bark is "peeled back" so that a name, dates, and/or epitaph can be engraved, or the carver might use the surface of a "cut-off" branch for a similar purpose. The treestone was a common choice from 1870-1920. Other artwork often adorns these monuments. Ivy is prominent, winding up and down and around the stone, while the fern at the stone's base illustrates humility and sincerity. On other treestones more plant symbols are depicted - such as oak leaves and acorns, symbols of strength, firmness, endurance among other things.