Memorial Tree Planting Checklist: Everything To Do Before Planting Day
If you’ve never planted a tree before, it can be helpful to prepare beforehand, especially if you are planting during a memorial ceremony. It’s actually very common that a person’s first time planting a tree is a memorial tree; many people don’t plant trees in their day-to-day life, and memorial trees are becoming more popular.
Let’s take this step by step and give you a tree planting checklist that covers how to pick the best location, prepare the soil, and the tools you’ll need for a successful planting.
Choosing The Best Planting Location For a Memorial Tree
One of the most important factors in tree health is where you plant your memorial tree. So, how do you choose the right location?
- Size: Find out how wide and how tall the tree will be when it’s fully grown, and pick a spot outside with plenty of room. Common mistakes are planting a tree that’s too big for its space or too close to buildings, which can cause damage to both the tree and surrounding structures.
- Utilities: Make sure there are no power lines, underground utilities, or septic systems close to where you’re planting. A tree planted too close to any of these systems can cause significant damage.
- Sunlight: Research your tree’s sunlight requirements and ensure the chosen spot receives the right amount.
- Drainage: Don’t plant your tree at a low point in the ground, where water pools after rain. Not only does this indicate compacted dirt, but the excess standing water could suffocate your tree.
- Accessibility: It’s important to pick a place where you can easily visit and maintain the tree as needed. Your own private property, or private property with written permission, are good options.
If you don’t have the outdoor space to plant, you have options, such as planting in a container. Many dwarf trees do well in containers, and you could also plant shrubs or rose bushes on a sunny porch or patio.
Or, consider a Memory Forest, which is like a cemetery, except it’s planted with memorial trees. Memory Forests are excellent options for those who don’t wish to handle the maintenance for a memorial tree.
Tools And Supplies You'll Need Before Planting
Gathering all of your supplies ahead of time will make the site preparation and planting much easier. Here’s what you need:
- Shovel
- Gloves
- Watering can or hose
- Mulch
- Trowel or spade
- Tarp or wheelbarrow (optional)
- Stakes and soft ties if needed
- BioUrn®
- Young tree
Preparing Soil Before Planting A Memorial Tree
Preparing your planting site before the ceremony is an excellent way to support a smooth ceremony and healthy tree growth. Here’s what you need to do:
- Talk to your local nursery about the soil in your area and discuss soil testing and amendments for your specific tree species. Follow their instructions, or avoid amending the soil.
Also, ask them if you’ll need to stake your young tree.
- Remove weeds, debris, grass, and any vegetation in the planting area.
- Wearing gloves, use the shovel to collect the dirt and place it on the tarp. Dig a wide, shallow hole with slanted sides. The hole should be 2 to 5 times wider than the root ball of your tree, and as deep as the root ball is tall.
- The idea is that tree roots grow laterally and remain fairly shallow, so a wide hole allows them to establish themselves more quickly.
- Make sure the soil at the bottom of the hole is bare and undisturbed.
- Collect all the dirt you removed onto the tarp and use it to backfill around the tree during planting.
- If the hole sides are smooth or “glazed” from the shovel, use a trowel or a spade to scrape the sides for a rough, uneven finish. Roots have a hard time penetrating smooth, compacted dirt.
Understanding The Best Time Of Year To Plant
While you can technically plant a tree any time of year, there are certainly better and worse times to plant. Generally speaking, fall and spring are the best times to plant a tree, however, you can also plant potted trees in the summer (with plenty of water) and in the winter when the ground isn't frozen.
It's important to do your research. Talk to a local nursery or look up local extension guides for your region and tree species online. For example, some deciduous trees are better planted during their dormant period.
Planting in a container gives you more flexibility with timing, but favorable weather is still preferable.
Prepare For Memorial Tree Planting With The Living Urn
The Living Urn® makes it simple and streamlined to plant a memorial tree and cremation ashes with their patented BioUrn® system.
- Use their zip code tool to select a tree that will thrive in your region.
- Order your BioUrn® with your young tree, or have it shipped at a later date when you’re ready for planting.
- If you don’t have the space for a memorial tree at home, you can plant one in one of our Memory Forests, which are found across the nation.
Planting a memorial tree is a loving way not only to honor the life of someone you love, but also to bring comfort and solace during the years of grief. Grow a living memorial for your loved one with The Living Urn®. Reach out to our helpful team with any questions at (800) 495-7022 ext. 0.