Choosing and Placing Your Tribute Tree
A memorial tree is a living tribute, and it is simpler to plant than you might think. A little care up front, choosing a good spot and giving your tree a strong start, is most of what a young tree needs to thrive for years. Here is a simple guide to walk you through it.
Start with a few questions
Before you pick a spot, it helps to know what the tree needs and what your yard can offer. Think about what the tree is for and where it will live, what the soil and drainage are like there, how much sun that spot gets through the day, and how large the tree will grow when it is full grown, both above and below ground. A few minutes here saves you guesswork later.
Take a look at your yard
The right tree in the right place needs less care and lives longer. Walk your yard and keep an eye on a few things.
Soil. Yards in newer neighborhoods often have shallow, compacted soil. Loosen it and improve it where you can. Good soil is the foundation for strong roots.
Sun and wind. Most trees want steady sunlight. Note how many hours the spot gets, and whether it sits exposed to strong wind.
Space above and below. Look up for power lines and look down for buried utilities. Give the tree room to spread its branches and its roots without crowding structures or walkways.
Drainage. Roots need oxygen to grow. If water pools and lingers after rain, roots can suffocate. Choose a spot that drains well.
Hardiness zone. Every tree can handle a certain range of temperatures. Plant one suited to your region so it can weather your winters and summers. You can find your USDA hardiness zone by ZIP code online.
Give your tree its best start
The good news is that most of what keeps a young tree healthy is in your hands. Water steadily, not too little and not too much. Dig a wide hole, since roots spread out rather than down, and loose, wide soil helps them settle in. And plant a tree that suits the spot you have, rather than forcing a spot to fit the tree. Get these few things right and your tree is well on its way.
A note on memorial trees
If you are planting with cremation ashes, it is easy to assume they work like wood ash. They do not. Cremation ashes are high in pH and sodium, both of which can harm a young tree. The Treebute® organic soil blend is scientifically tested to neutralize that pH and sodium. The result is regenerated soil, and a tree that has what it needs to thrive.
Plant a memory of your own
When you are ready, we will guide you to the right tree and give you everything you need to plant it well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I plant my memorial tree?
Choose a spot with the conditions your tree needs to thrive. Look for steady sunlight through the day, soil you can loosen and improve, and ground that drains well so roots do not sit in water. Look up for power lines and down for buried utilities, and give the tree room to grow both above and below ground. The right tree in the right place needs less care and lives longer.
How big should the planting hole be?
Dig a wide hole rather than a deep one. Tree roots spread out, not down, so loose, wide soil helps them establish. A good guide is a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball, and no deeper than the root ball itself, so the tree sits at the same depth it grew before.
How often should I water a newly planted tribute tree?
Water steadily, not too little and not too much, since both can harm a young tree. Keep the soil moist but not soggy through the first growing season while the roots establish. Let the top inch or two of soil begin to dry between waterings so the roots get the oxygen they need.
Can I plant a tree with cremation ashes?
Yes, though not by mixing ashes straight into the soil. People often assume cremation ashes work like wood ash. They do not. Cremation ashes are high in pH and sodium, both of which can harm a young tree. The Treebute® organic soil blend is scientifically tested to neutralize that pH and sodium, so your tree has what it needs to take root and grow.
How do I know if a tree will survive in my area?
Every tree can handle a certain range of temperatures, described by its hardiness zone. Plant a tree suited to your region so it can weather your winters and summers. You can find your USDA hardiness zone by entering your ZIP code online.
What is the most common reason young trees die?
Most trees are not lost to pests or disease. They are lost to a handful of avoidable mistakes, such as overwatering, underwatering, compacted soil, and planting the wrong tree for the spot. A few good habits protect a young tree more than anything else.