They have a sentimental value as well.

I was born in Flatbush, and lived there, during my youth, on my father's estate.

The city has since grown around the old place, which my niece now owns, but the plum trees stand as they have stood for more than fifty years.

It was beneath these plum trees...." Miss Pringle suddenly broke off; her face twitched; she felt for a handkerchief, and found none; she wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
In another person this action might have appeared somewhat careless, but Miss Pringle, by the force of her character, managed to invest it with propriety and dignity; looking at her, one felt that to wipe one's eyes on one's sleeve was quite proper when done by the proper person.
"I will conceal nothing, Mr.Cleggett.

It was under these plum trees that I once received an offer of marriage from a worthy young man.