MetLife Legacy TreesTM
The Legacy Trees Program is our pledge to plant a tree in honor of each loved one for whom MetLife has paid a Group Life Insurance benefit1. While serving as a living memorial for our insureds, the program will also fight deforestation, provide clean air, shade cover and habitat for animals, while reducing erosion and flooding in communities.
"We are honored to partner with MetLife to help cultivate hope and healing through their Legacy Trees program. As a living tribute to the MetLife community, this program is helping to create more resilient forests and restore vital ecosystems that need it most. Through this collaboration, each tree becomes a legacy that helps build a healthier, more sustainable future for the planet."
– Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation
Timeline of progress
2018
In October, Hurricane Michael hit the Econfina Creek and Chipola River Water Management Areas in the Florida panhandle.
2022
In May, MetLife began planting trees in the Econfina Creek and Chipola River Water Management Areas.
2023
In November, MetLife helped restore nearly 950 acres in the Econfina Creek and Chipola River Water Management Areas.
2024
MetLife continued to plant trees in the Econfina Creek and Chipola River Water Management Areas.
2026
Econfina Creek Watershed project complete! MetLife will plant trees in two new locations: Michigan’s forests and Florida’s Gulf Coast ecosystems.
MetLife has helped successfully complete a multi-year restoration project of the Econfina Creek watershed and is now advancing the next phase of its environmental stewardship by focusing on large-scale tree planting throughout northern Michigan and along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In Michigan, MetLife is supporting reforestation of state and national forests through its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, replanting native jack and red pine to restore historic forestlands, improve water filtration and carbon sequestration, and strengthen regional wildlife habitat—including critical habitat for the once endangered Kirtland’s warbler.
In Florida, MetLife’s Gulf Coast reforestation efforts are restoring storm and wildfire impacted landscapes by planting a mix of hardwoods and endangered longleaf pine to rebuild watersheds, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and support both aquatic and land based species. Together, these initiatives reflect MetLife’s continued commitment to resilient forests, healthy watersheds, and long-term ecosystem health.2
Our Tree Planting Partners
Photographer: Andy Wakeman
MetLife partners with the Arbor Day Foundation and their network of local tree planting partners to implement our tree planting program.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.
Avoided and sequestered CO2 per tree (In pounds):
Carbon
4,835.82
Air
2.64
Water
633.77
Tributes
In loving memory of a child who endured
Read MoreIn loving memory of a child who endured so much challenge at such a young age but persevered it with all of his might until he just could no longer.
Orla Becker
In loving memory of James G Poole. A wonderful son and a great human being!
Beverlie Polly
A fitting living memory for my husband, a natural born custodian of flora and fauna.
Eve Wada
Read MoreThank you, Metlife for planting a tree in honor of our Mom. I hate seeing so many beautiful trees
Pamela Turner
We miss you dearly mom! Forever in our hearts. Thank you for planting this tree in memory of Teresa.
Ceci Godinez
Read MoreMy beautiful mother, Aileen Rivera (50 y.o.), departed peacefully on 11/10/2025 in NYC, surrounded by her family,
Crystalinda Rapozo
My dad, Anthony J. Del Priore, Jr. was the great historian of our family, and keeper of our very thorough family tree. This legacy tree is a fitting tribute to his life's work.
Gina McDonald
Read MoreMartin Skiles, Jr was my husband and my best friend. He was the best and most hilarious
Cari Skiles
Read MoreMy dear husband, I miss him so, it just seems so unreal at such a young age, He was kind man to many,
Rosemary McEwen
Read MoreMy husband Jason Howard passed away Aug. 27th, 2025, which was 6 days after his birthday
Tracey Nieto
My dad was the kindest and most caring person I knew. He loved his family more than anything and is truly missed. Thank you for planting a tree in honor of Virgil Sharp
Sheila Overy
For my beautiful sister Maria Elena Ocampo . The glue 🤍
Anahi Ocampo
Read MoreTo my husband Joseph Thompson who was a loving, funny and caring man. Great husband, father, son, brother
Jene'a Thompson
My wife Carmen enjoyed our short road trips to our local park and we watched the trees go through their seasonal changes.
David Behnke
My wife was a loving and supportive person. Her love of photography was a vessel for her passions of large animals and landscapes.
Calvin Richardson
Frequently Asked Questions
The trees are planted at the best suitable planting time for the region, within a given calendar year.
The Arbor Day Foundation thoroughly vets planting partners and project teams to ensure that trees are responsibly planted and maintained throughout the entire project process. While Mother Nature can be difficult to predict, you can rest easy knowing that the Arbor Day Foundation and its partners strive to create healthy, thriving forests.
We are planting one tree for each deceased insured individual of MetLife Group Benefits life insurance. There is no limit on how many trees we will plant.
Our planting partners select and plant trees native to the specific area. Trees planted through this initiative are 6 – 10 inch seedlings.
All plantings are completed by contracted professional tree planters and are overseen and assessed by foresters on the grounds.
No, there is no option to opt out or make special requests related to the trees. A tree will be planted for every insured individual for whom MetLife has paid a Group Life Insurance benefit. There is no cost to the beneficiary or policyholder.
No, the MetLife Legacy TreesTM program only applies to Group Life Insurance insureds.