Seasonal Tree Planting Instructions

Below please find step-by-step plating instructions for The Living Urn with your Seasonal Tree. As always, if you have any questions prior to, during, or after planting, feel free to reach us at info@thelivingurn.co.uk we're here to help.
  1. Receiving Your Tree: Try to plant your Seasonal Tree Seedling as soon as possible once you receive it. If you cannot plant right away, you can store your tree in a cool, dark place for up to 5 days. You can even store your tree in a refrigerator (NOT the freezer) if you need to wait a few days.
  2. Prepare Your Tree: Unpack your tree, remove all packing materials, carefully untangle the roots and soak the roots in water 3 to 6 hours before planting. Do not soak longer than 6 hours and do not allow the roots to dry out. When you take your tree out to plant, keep the roots moist by covering with moist burlap or a towel.
  3. Prepare the Hole: Make sure the location you choose for the tree is at least 4 to 5 feet away from any structure. Dig a hole, wider than seems necessary, so the roots can grow outward without crowding. The hole should be about 3 feet wide in diameter and about 18 inches deep. Remove any grass within a 3-foot circular area. To aid root growth, make sure the soil is turned in the area up to 3 feet in diameter. Shovel back into the hole about 2 inches of soil to make a “floor”. Press on the new “floor” so it is firm and densely compacted.
  1. Prepare the Living Urn®: Remove The Living Urn’s BioUrn® from the bamboo case. Remove the label and take the top off (you will no longer need the top of the BioUrn®). Carefully and slowly pour the cremated remains into the bottom of the BioUrn® (if this wasn't already done beforehand). Next, pour the entire bag of RootProtect™ ash neutralising agent on top of the cremated remains (this is found in the Bronze Bag or in a clear bag with a “Ash Neutralising Agent” label). Gently press on the ash agent to compact it but not too tight.
  2. Prepare the Soil: Mix the Premium Growth Mix provided with The Living Urn® with the original soil from the hole. Set this soil off to the side as it will be used in an upcoming steps to fill the remaining space in The Living Urn® on top of the ash agent.
  3. Plant The Living Urn® and Tree
  • First, keep in mind that when you are all finished, you want the “root collar” of the tree (where the top of the roots meet the bottom of the trunk) to be at ground level (you don’t want to bury any part of the trunk).
  • The amount of free space remaining in The Living Urn® after adding RootProtect™ (the ash neutralising agent) will vary. This is because the amount of cremated remains is different for different sized loved ones and also because some people will choose to use all of the cremated remains while others will use only a portion. Therefore, you may need to make adjustments to the depth of your hole in the ground to account for this – we will show you how in the next steps.
  • Lower The Living Urn® into the hole (RootProtect™ ash neutralising agent should be on top of the cremated remains). Next, holding your tree, gently lower the tree roots into the remaining volume space of the Living Urn®. Gently move some of the outer roots around the outside perimeter of the Living Urn® if possible.
  • Finalise depth – if the “Root Collar” (where the top of the roots meet the bottom of the trunk) is below ground level, then add back soil to the hole, raising the “floor” created in Step 3 until the “Root Collar” is at ground level (make sure no part of the trunk is buried). Once again, as in Step 3., compact the floor so it is nice and firm, but not overly compacted.
  • Finish – While holding the tree in The Living Urn®, simply pour the ‘Premium Growth Mix + topsoil combo’ created in Step 5 into The Living Urn® around the roots. Pour remaining mix back into the hole around The Living Urn®. Shovel the turned original soil back into the hole. This soil should be firm but not too tightly packed. You have created a water basin for the tree.
  1. Water: Next, water the tree and surrounding area generously. Click here to learn more about proper watering.
  2. Add Mulch: After the water has soaked in, spread protective mulch two inches deep in a 3-foot diameter area around the base of the tree, but not touching the trunk. We provide wood ships but you will likely need some additional wood ships or shredded bark to cover the entire area adequately. Mulch is a newly planted tree's best friend. Click here for more information on mulching.
  3. Tree Care: The soil and mulch around your trees should be kept moist but not soggy. During dry weather in the Summer, water the tree every few days during the first two years. The water should soak into the soil and mulch – you want water to reach the depth of the roots. Avoid watering so much that you see standing water. Click here to learn more about proper watering of your tree.
  4. Important Considerations
  • Do not use fertiliser or chemicals with your new tree as this could hurt the baby tree. Also, do not use soil mix or peat in the hole - just use the original soil and the additives provided (our bags of Premium Growth Mix and RootProtect™ ash neutralising agent) as instructed above.
  • We recommend putting a small fence (such as chicken wire) around your trees if your site is a feeding ground for rabbits, deer, or other wildlife.
  • Planting Site – Make sure you have carefully considered you planting site and your tree's specific sun/shade needs. A quick internet search of your tree can provide this information.