Memorial Tree Planting: What Are the Best Plants & Trees for Ashes?
Planting a tree with ashes is a great way to honor a loved one through a living tribute. But, if you’re considering planting ashes with a tree, it's important to choose the right plant and prepare the soil properly so your memorial will thrive.
While many families may choose an urn planter for a small tree, it's not the only option. Let Your Love Grow allows you to return ashes to the Earth in a way that’s environmentally safe and healthy for plant life. Explore the best plants and trees to consider — and a few to avoid – as you make plants for a memorial tree planting.
Why Choosing the Right Tree Matters
Cremation ashes are naturally high in sodium and very alkaline. This makes it difficult for plants to absorb nutrients and water if the soil is not balanced. When ashes are added directly to the ground, plants struggle to grow. But, using a blended soil mixture like Let Your Love Grow helps neutralize these elements so the plant can grow strong and healthy.
Once you have properly prepared your soil for memorial tree planting, it's time to choose a tree or plant that fits your space, climate and the legacy you want to create.
The Best Trees to Plant with Ashes
Planning a memorial tree planting takes researching what type of tree would best fit your needs and honor the loved one you lost. Here are a few trees to get you started:
Oak
Often seen as a symbol of strength and endurance, oaks make excellent long-term memorial trees. They adapt well to a variety of climates and create a peaceful, shaded space to honor your loved one.
Maple
Maples offer beautiful seasonal color and are a heartfelt tribute for someone who loved the fall. They’re hardy, moderately sized and do well once you plant the tree with cremated ashes.
Dogwood
With spring blossoms and manageable size, dogwoods are ideal for smaller yards. Their beauty makes them a popular memorial choice, and they do appreciate well-balanced soil.
Japanese Maple
Japanese maples are elegant and compact. They work wonderfully for patios, courtyards or inside memorial gardens where space is limited.
Evergreens
If you want to plant a memorial tree that stays beautiful year-round, evergreens like cypress or blue spruce trees are a lovely option. Their symbolism of eternal life makes them even more special for memorial settings.
Looking for a Great Memorial Plant or Shrub?
If a tree isn’t the right fit for your space or plants for a memorial garden, these smaller options still create beautiful living tributes. Just remember, no matter what plant you select, you must properly balance the soil before you plant. Here are some memorial plants or shrubs that may fit your space.
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Roses – A classic symbol of love and remembrance suitable for any memorial.
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Hydrangeas – A lush, easy to care for flower that is perfect for shady memorial gardens.
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Lavender — A plant that is ideal for creating a peaceful, fragrant memorial corner.
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Black-Eyed Susans — A vibrant flower that is a hardy perennial that returns year after year.
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Irises – An elegant perennial flower that has striking blooms in a variety of colors.
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Boxwood – An enduring addition to any memorial garden with dense foliage suitable for many climates.
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Lilac – A flowering shrub that blooms each spring and brings a sense of nostalgia and beauty to honor someone’s memory.
Is There Anything I Should Avoid When Planting Ashes with a Tree or Planter?
While many plants, trees and shrubs will grow alongside soil mixed with Let Your Love Grow’s patented mixture, there are a few things to take note of prior to memorial tree planting.
Starting from Seeds
Starting from seed is not as successful when planting ashes with a tree. Choose a young, healthy tree with an established root ball instead to ensure proper growth.
Sensitive Species
Some trees dislike high-alkaline soil even after being treated with a blended soil mixture, like Let Your Love Grow. Take time to research what grows well in your area prior to planting ashes with a tree or memorial plant.
Planting Ashes Directly into Soil
Planting ashes directly into soil without any prior treatment can cause harm to the surrounding environment. Always mix cremated remains with a soil blend, like Let Your Love Grow, designed to rebalance pH and salinity to ensure thriving memorial tree plantings.
Start Planning a Living Memorial
Whether you choose a towering oak or a small flowering shrub, planting a tree with cremation ashes creates a space where memories can take root. And while urn planters are one option, using Let Your Love Grow allows you to plant directly into the earth — returning your loved one to nature in a sustainable way.
With the right plant, proper soil preparation and a thoughtful location, your memorial tree planting can become a place of comfort and lasting remembrance. If you’re ready to begin, visit our shop to purchase a blended soil mixture kit and start your memorial planting plans.
