Aspiring Ashes — This Is the Future of Remembrance
Where to Plant a Tree or Garden as a Living Memorial
Choosing the Right Plant for Your Growing Zone
When choosing a tree or garden plant for a living memorial with cremated ashes, we’re often asked if we sell memorial trees — sometimes called cremation trees, trees of life, or remembrance trees.
The answer is no.
You don’t need us to, nor do we want you to feel limited by a specific species. What makes a tree planting meaningful isn’t the plant itself — it’s the loved one being honored.
Choosing the right plant does take some thought, and your USDA growing zone is the best place to start.
That’s why trusting your local outdoor garden nursery is often your strongest move — and here are three reasons why.
Your best move is to trust your Local Outdoor Garden Nursery, and here are 3 reasons why:
Arbor Day Foundation–Recommended Practices
Planting a Tree with Ashes (Planting Best Practices)
The Arbor Day Foundation’s recommendations are based on decades of research and real-world planting experience. These guidelines focus on tree health, root establishment, and long-term survival—regardless of whether the planting is symbolic, memorial, or ornamental.
When planting a tree as a living memorial, following Arbor Day Foundation practices helps ensure:
- Proper root development
- Structural stability
- Healthy growth over time
We strongly recommend adhering to Arbor Day Foundation guidance for how trees should be planted in soil.
Key planting principles include:
- Planting on firm, undisturbed ground
- Backfilling and tamping soil in layers to eliminate air pockets
- Avoiding unnecessary staking when the tree is planted correctly
When these steps are followed, staking is typically not required and may even inhibit natural trunk strengthening.
Safety Zones (Placement Matters)
Choosing the correct planting location is just as important as choosing the right tree.
Always consider the tree’s mature height and canopy width, not its size at planting. Establish a clear safety zone that accounts for:
- Distance from structures
- Underground utilities
- Walkways, driveways, and property lines
- Overhead lines and future growth
Planning for full maturity protects both the tree and the surrounding environment.
Houseplant Memorials - Container Size Guide
Planting Depth for Optimal Growth
Because Aspiring Ashes is a unit-based system, choosing the correct container size for an indoor living memorial is simple and predictable.
This visual guide shows how many units fit comfortably within common planter sizes, ensuring the proper balance between Living Memorial Soil Blend and plant-specific potting soil.
Correct proportions support root health, moisture retention, and long-term growth.
Recommended container sizes:
- Small Planter (12” x 12”) — 1 unit
- Medium Planter (14” x 14”) — 2 units
- Large Planter (16” x 16”) — 3 units
- Extra-Large Planter (18” x 18”) — 4 units
If you have four units available, you may choose flexible arrangements, such as:
- Two medium planters, or
- One small planter and one large planter
For best results, each unit should be combined with 2 gallons of potting soil suited to your chosen houseplant.