Last year my sister in law gave birth to a beautiful stillborn baby boy. With his birthday coming up I want to buy her a tree to plant in his memory. I need help deciding what tree I should buy. They own the house they live in currently but plan to move more to the country in five or so years. What would be a good choice as something that can be uprooted and moved if they needed to? Would a potted tree be a better choice, or should I ditch the whole idea? We live in a 5b plant zone if that helps. Thanks in advance!

Welcome, Barbara, and what a lovely idea. If the child was named, you might search our database using his name to see what pops up. Or anything with 'angel' in it. I've done that for ideas for a memorial garden I am planning - lots of iris and daylilies have great names (another option). Or, I like your idea of a small tree (or perhaps a shrub) that can be potted until they move to a more permanent location.

I would look into a Japanese maple of some sort. Some stay quite small, with red or green foliage and amazing color as they transition to fall. Just my opinion though. Plus they are traditionally slow growing trees.

Sorry for your loss.
At a local school they have just planted a memory tree for a young student who passed too soon - the tree is in the play area.
Sorry that I have no answer for a tree in zone 5b that could start in a pot and be moved later - and I would hate to think of the emotional impact if the potted tree failed to thrive, but I have an idea.

There may be places that you can plant a memorial tree in your local area. Or you can work through the Arbor Day Foundation and a tree will be planted (somewhere). I don't know your exact location so cannot be more specific about where the memory tree could be planted but here is an example of one such program.
http://whitehouseoh.gov/govern...

Later, after your SIL moves to her new home you can buy a suitable tree for her new yard/garden.

HI Barbara, I think it is a very thoughtful gesture. But I would also try to observe and consider if your sister in law is the type that likes to grow plants.

I would consider plants in a container, so it is easily moved as needed when seasons change. Or find low light easy to grow plants like Dracaenas, ZZ plants, Sansevieiras, Scheffleras.
Ficus microcarpa ginseng is also a nice tree, I got it as a bonsai and so far it is easy to manage, stays evergreen, slow growing. Just have to keep it indoors during winter by our south facing window.