The Earlscourt Silver Maple: A Living Memorial

Prospect Cemetery
Section 7

Every property developed by Mount Pleasant Group since World War I has a separate section dedicated to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

The first was developed at Prospect Cemetery in 1917, the Veterans’ Burial Plot. The need for this dedicated space arose over the previous winter when soldiers, especially those without relatives, died at the Exhibition Park camp.

On August 27, 1919, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, planted a silver maple in the veterans’ section (section 7) of the cemetery. The act was both symbolic and deeply personal. Earlscourt, the surrounding neighbourhood, had given more soldiers per capita to Canada’s World War I efforts than any other district in the country. Over 2,500 men enlisted, more than 320 were killed and numerous others returned wounded. The planting of the tree was a gesture of gratitude and remembrance, honouring the sacrifices of ordinary working-class families who had borne extraordinary burdens.

The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) was chosen as a living memorial. Unlike stone monuments, a tree grows, changes and renews itself with each season. Its roots anchor it in the soil of sacrifice, while its branches reach skyward, symbolizing hope for future generations. 

The prince’s words at the ceremony, “They gave up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten,” gave the tree its enduring purpose.

Over time, seeds from this maple were propagated across the Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, extending its legacy throughout Toronto. Today, the tree stands near the Cross of Sacrifice, a focal point for annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. More than a century later, it remains a living witness to Earlscourt’s contribution, embodying both grief and resilience. In this context, the silver maple is not merely a tree: it’s a guardian of memory and dignity, ensuring that the names and sacrifices of Toronto’s fallen are never forgotten.

Source: Mount Pleasant Group – Prospect Cemetery