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 - without ashes
Planting in a pot - with ashes
Planting in the ground - without ashes
Quick Guide – Planting in the Ground 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 container for mixing
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Compost (we recommend John Innes. No 2 blend)
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Gloves (required if handling ash and Unifying Mix)
Step One - Choose a suitable spot
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Somewhere bright, with some direct sunlight and good drainage
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Allow space for the tree to grow.
Step Two - Prepare the soil
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Dig a hole at least 40cm wide and 30cm deep.
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Mix the removed soil with:
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- Up to 500ml ash
- The full Unifying Mix kit
- A few litres of compost
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Blend thoroughly
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Return most of the mixture to the hole.
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Make a small gap for the sapling to be planted.
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Into the gap, sprinkle the full sachet of root-supporting fungi provided.
Step Three - Position the tree
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Remove the tree from its biodegradable pulp pot.
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Place the tree in the hole so that the base of the trunk sits level with the soil surface.
Step Four - Backfill and firm
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Fill the remaining space with the blended soil mix
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Press gently to remove any air gaps.
Step Five - Water well
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Water thoroughly and allow it to soak in.
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Water deeply at least once per week for the first month and keep soil moist.
Full Length Guide
The below are detailed instructions intended to give your tree the very best start in life.
Step One – Choose a Suitable Spot
When deciding where to plant your tree, we recommend that you:
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Select a bright position with some direct sunlight
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Choose a spot with good drainage, where water does not tend to sit after heavy rain
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Allow space for the tree to grow over time rather than planting in a crowded space
Step Two – Prepare the Ground
Please use no more than 500ml of cremated ash when planting this tree.
If you wish to use more ash, we suggest that you divide it across multiple memorial trees.
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Wear suitable gardening gloves
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Dig a hole at least 40cm wide and around 30cm deep
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In a large container, add:
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The removed soil
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A few litres of compost (we recommend John Innes No 2)
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Up to a maximum of 500ml cremated ash
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The full bag of our Unifying Mix
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Mix these thoroughly until evenly blended
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Return some of this blended mix into the hole, leaving enough space for the sapling to be planted.
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Then, sprinkle the entire Rootgrow sachet into the remaining hole before positioning the tree.
Step Three – Position the 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 hole
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The point where the roots meet the trunk should sit level with the surrounding soil surface, not buried below
Step Four – Backfill and Firm
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Backfill the remaining gap with your blended compost/ash/additive mix
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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 not
Step Five – Water Well and Protect
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Water the ground around the tree gently but thoroughly, allowing water to soak in fully.
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You may wish to add some mulch or organic matter 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.
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During the first four to five weeks, ensure the soil remains consistently moist by watering deeply once a week. This watering will help the soil and ash to settle evenly and supports healthy root establishment