Planting A Memorial Tree In Melbourne Australia: A Full Guide
It’s really touching to see a tree flourish in memory of someone we’ve lost. More and more people in Melbourne are discovering how beautiful memorial trees are as a way to honour loved ones while also helping the environment. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about planting a memorial tree in Melbourne, including how to choose the right tree and what it will cost.
What Is A Memorial Tree In Melbourne?
A memorial tree in Melbourne is a memorial tribute where a tree is planted to honour and remember a loved one who has passed away. In Melbourne, the most meaningful memorial trees are those that incorporate treated cremated remains into the soil and tree, allowing your loved one to live on through nature while creating a beautiful gathering place for family and friends. This process is provided by Mornington Green Living Legacy Gardens, and the trees are called Living Legacy Trees. These special memorial trees not only celebrate life but also contribute to Melbourne’s environment by offsetting carbon emissions and creating new habitats for wildlife.
Why Choose A Memorial Tree In Melbourne?
Memorial trees are a living, growing tribute that can help people move on from grief. Unlike traditional memorials, trees change with the seasons, providing a place to visit, reflect, and enjoy nature. They are good for the environment and create a beautiful place where family and friends can get together.
As Melbourne becomes more environmentally aware, these trees are a perfect way to show that we can still give back to nature after we die. A study by Centennial Park Adelaide found that both cremation and burial create around 160kg of carbon dioxide, which can be offset by planting a single tree.
Where Is The Location To Plant A Memorial Tree In Melbourne?
The most popular memorial tree planting location in Melbourne, providing Living Legacy Tree services, is Mornington Green Legacy Gardens, located in Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 50 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. This former golf course has been transformed into a beautiful botanical garden specifically designed for memorial trees.
Not like regular parks or gardens, Mornington Green offers:
1. Protected land that ensures trees remain thriving for generations
2. Professional horticulturists that provides ongoing care for your tree
3. Specially designed garden spaces for family gatherings and reflection
4. Legal compliance for memorial plantings
5. You can infuse cremated remains using patented Living Legacy Tree that turns ashes into tree nutrients such as potassium and nitrogen
While some local councils offer memorial tree planting, it’s important to note that most don’t have the technology of treating ashes, infusing into memorial trees and may have limited ongoing care provisions.
The Science Of Living Legacy Memorial Trees With Ashes
An important thing to consider when planning a memorial tree with cremated remains is understanding the science involved. Untreated cremation ashes are actually harmful to plants and soil due to:
1. Very high pH levels (around 12 out of 14, thats similar to bleach)
2. High salt content that disturbs plant growth
3. Can kill up to 90% of tree seedlings within 21 days
This is why professional memorial tree services like Living Legacy Trees at Mornington Green use the patented Living Legacy Formula treatment process that:
1. Neutralizes the alkalinity of ashes
2. Reduces harmful salt levels
3. Transforms ashes into beneficial nutrients like nitrogen and potassium
4. Creates conditions where soil microbes can thrive
This scientific approach ensures your memorial tree doesn’t just survive but flourishes as a true living tribute.
Best Types Of Memorial Trees To Plant In Melbourne
Melbourne’s climate supports a wide variety of memorial tree species, this makes Mornington Green Living Legacy Gardens provide various tree species:
1. Cherry Blossom
2. Eucalyptus
3. Flowering Gum
4. Jacaranda
5. Flame Tree
6. Japanese Maple
7. Golden Wattle
The beauty of choosing a memorial tree is selecting one that reflects your loved one’s personality or holds special meaning for your family.
The Process Of Planting A Memorial Tree In Melbourne
The process of planting a memorial tree in Melbourne, especially at Mornington Green Legacy Gardens has several meaningful steps:
1. Selection: Choose your preferred tree species and location within the gardens
2. Treatment: Your loved one’s cremated remains are treated using the patented Living Legacy Formula
3. Ceremony: You can held and participate in a planting ceremony that can include family and friends (up to 15 people)
4. Ongoing Care: Professional horticulturists will maintain your tree, in perpetuity
5. Visitation: Return anytime to visit, reflect, and create new memories with your family
Cost of Memorial Trees in Melbourne
Memorial tree planting at Mornington Green starts from $7,000, which has higher value compared to traditional burial options that often exceed $15,000-$19,000. A Living Legacy Tree package includes:
1. Your chosen tree in a selected location
2. Treatment of ashes using the patented formula
3. A planting ceremony for up to 15 guests, including refreshments
4. Ongoing tree care and maintenance without additional future costs
5. A bronze memorial plaque
6. Year-round access to the memorial gardens
For larger family memorials, there are options of trees that can accommodate multiple ashes (up to 8 infusions), the prices of these options range from $11,000 to $24,000.
Benefits of Planting a Living Legacy Memorial Tree in Melbourne
Imagine walking through 1,000 flowering cherry blossoms or golden wattles, a canopy of pink and gold. to arrive at the tree your life created and being able to look at the beauty of that flower and know your life created it. By becoming a Living Legacy Tribute your life goes on to create a positive touchpoint that connects loved ones to the beauty your life created. Instead of memorials that connect people to what was lost and done in a way that harms the planet, our living memorials connect people to the beauty their life created through nature and your contribution to nature.
Rather than a cold tombstone, a memorial tree in Melbourne becomes a vibrant, growing symbol of life’s continuation – changing with the seasons and providing a peaceful place for connection and remembrance. It’s a meaningful choice that celebrates life while nurturing our precious Australian landscape.
For more information about planting a memorial tree in Melbourne, contact Mornington Green Legacy Gardens at (03) 9059 4959 or visit the gardens in Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula.
