In the early 50's I saw a b/w movie about a single father whose wife was deceased,but the wife would appear to the child by a tree outside the house... I think. At the very end of the movie the father finally saw his wife. When I was young I loved the movie but today I can't think of the name but would love to see it again, can you help me with a title?

Doesn't completely match your description, by possibly Sentimental Journey (http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/89559/Sentimental-Journey/)