Depending on your circumstances, you may be planting your tree in a pot or straight in the ground. You may be interring cremated ashes with your tree or you may simply be planting it in someone's memory.
This article covers our recommendations for when you wish to plant your memorial tree in the ground with ashes. If this is not what you're planning, then please see our articles on:
Planting in a pot - with ashes
Planting in the ground - with ashes
Planting in the ground - without ashes
Quick Guide – Planting in a pot without ashes
You will need:
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Spade or trowel
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Watering can or hose
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Large pot with drainage holes
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50 litres compost (we recommend John Innes. No 2)
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Gardening gloves (recommended)
Step One - Choose the right pot
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Minimum 40–50 litres with drainage holes.
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We recommend frost-proof pots, like fibreglass and glazed terracotta variants.
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Place in a bright position with some direct sun.
Step Two - Prepare the planting pot
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Fill the planting pot until not quite full.
- Make a small hole in the centre for planting your tree.
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In the hole, sprinkle the full sachet of root-supporting fungi provided.
Step Three - Position the tree
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Remove tree from its biodegradable pulp pot.
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Place the tree in the hole with the root-supporting fungi.
Step Four - Backfill and firm
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Fill in the rest of the space with with compost, leaving a small gap below the rim of the planting pot and the surface of compost.
- The base of the trunk should be roughly level with the soil surface inside the pot.
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Press gently to secure.
Step Five - Water well
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Water until it drains freely from the base.
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Do not let the pot stand in water.
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Water regularly during dry periods.
Full Length Guide
The below are detailed instructions intended to offer finer details and suggestions to give your tree the very best start in life.
Step One – Choose a Suitable Pot
When choosing a pot for your tree, we recommend that you:
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Select a sturdy container that holds at least 40-50 litres of compost
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes in its base
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Choose a bright position with some direct sunlight
Please avoid using pots without drainage holes.
This pot size is suitable for the first few years of growth before eventual repotting or ground planting.
Step Two – Prepare the Pot
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Wear suitable gardening gloves
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Part-fill the pot with good-quality compost (we recommend John Innes No 2).
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Gently firm the compost so that it is level
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Sprinkle the entire Rootgrow sachet when the roots will sit
Step Three – Position your Tree
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Carefully remove the sapling from the biodegradable pulp pot
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Don’t worry if some compost comes loose from the roots
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Gently place the tree into the centre of the pot
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The point where the roots meet the trunk should sit level with where the compost surface will be, not buried below
Step Four – Backfill and Firm
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Fill around the sapling with compost until the pot is nearly full
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Press down gently with your hands to secure the tree and remove any air gaps, taking care not to damage the stem
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Check that the stem is upright – you can gently adjust if needed.
Step Five – Water Well and Protect
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Water the pot gently until water drains freely from the base
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Allow excess water to drain away
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Do not let the pot stand in water
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You may wish to add some mulch around the tree to retain moisture and deter weeds.
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If so, please leave a 10cm gap around the base of the trunk.
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You may protect your tree from wildlife using a tree guard or spiral. In exposed areas, a stake may help support the stem during strong winds.