A method for providing memory management for objects is described. Specifically, techniques are described for providing common memory management code to objects that are instances of different classes and for releasing a memory management subtree that starts with a particular object in the memory management tree. A memory management template provides common pre-processor memory management code. A specialized version of the memory management template is used to create a specialized template subclass. When a memory management operator of an object that is an instance of the specialized template subclass is invoked the common memory management code in the specialized template is executed. Memory is associated with each object in a hierarchical tree. Data for the memory is maintained that reflects the hierarchical tree relationship between the objects. A subtree and the associated memory can be released without an application program tracking the relationships.