Types of Trees to Plant in Memory of Someone
Each one of us is uniquely individual, with different personalities, traits, and behaviours. Over the last 30 years, psychologists have found that personalities coalesce around the ‘Big Five’, with varying levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, extroversion and openness to experience.
Contrary to common perception, some would argue that trees have just as much character as humans do. Trees are known to have vibrant inner lives and certainly appear to have individual personalities.
Most people are familiar with traditional burial and cremation practices, such as using a cemetery or storing the ashes in an urn. However, in recent years, eco-friendly or green alternatives have grown in popularity. An increasing number of people want to go back to nature after they die.
What if the ashes of your loved ones could live on through trees? What if we could reconnect with the natural beauty created by life rather than with what has been lost? That’s what we wish to give to you at Mornington Green.
Are you wondering what tree to plant in memory of someone? Or do you want to become a tree? We’ve listed below our most popular trees.
Cherry Blossom
Beautiful and optimistic, the quintessential Cherry Blossom captivates their admirers in the springtime with their blossoming double-pink flowers. People travel across the globe to catch sight of them in bloom.
Origin: Japan
Average Height: 6-12m
Maintenance: Cherry Blossoms also thrive after being fertilised in spring. They prefer shade when flowering and need to be watered particularly as they re-leaf.
Does it Bear Fruit: Cherry Blossom trees produce small cherries too sour for humans but perfect for birds. Their leaves are often used in teas and other beverages.
Colours: Soft pink
Season: Spring
Corresponding Birthday: October 23 to November 21 – Scorpio
Crepe Myrtle
Creative and passionate, Crepe Myrtles boast beautiful clusters flowers throughout the summer, guaranteeing a long-lasting show for the birds to feed on and humans to admire.
Origin: China
Average Height: 8-9m
Maintenance: Crepe Myrtles need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to thrive, but are easy to care for. Make sure to water well when young and avoid over-pruning.
Does it Bear Fruit: They have seeds perfect for birds, but aren’t eaten by humans.
Colours: Pink, white, red and deep mauve
Season: Summer
Corresponding Birthday: January 20 to February 18 – Aquarius
English Oak
Noble, strong, and intuitive, the English Oak puts on a show throughout the autumn as their lobed leaves turn gorgeous reds and yellows. Depending on where they are planted, they can attract small animals like squirrels or even deer.
Origin: United Kingdom
Average Height: 20m
Maintenance: English Oaks like full sun exposure and moist soil. It doesn’t need much pruning, and will naturally develop its iconic shape.
Does it Bear Fruit: English Oaks produce small acorns.
Colours: Green that turns to autumn reds and yellows
Season: Autumn
Flame tree
Charismatic and passionate, the Illawarra Flame Tree displays fiery-red bell-shaped flowers during the early summer. A multitude of small birds and even butterflies make home in these trees. A standout tree to plant in memory of someone who is unforgettable.
Origin: Australia
Average Height: 10-14m
Maintenance: Flame trees need watering when young, but grow strong enough to withstand drought when mature. They do the best in full sun.
Does it Bear Fruit: No, but they do produce seeds that can be eaten once cooked.
Colours: Fiery red
Season: Summer
Corresponding Birthday: December 22 to January 19 – Capricorn
Flowering Crab Apple
Loving and poetic, the Flowering Crab Apple displays delicate, fragrant, double-pink flowers towards the end of spring. Their smell can resemble apple blossoms, or even cinnamon.
Origin: Central Asia
Average Height: 4-8m
Maintenance: After adolescence, Flowering Crab Apples require little maintenance. They don’t need to be watered or vigorously pruned.
Does it Bear Fruit: Some Crab Apple trees produce fruit perfect for jam and sauces.
Colours: White to pink flowering
Season: Spring
Corresponding Birthday: November 22 to December 21- Sagittarius
Gingko
Tenacious and hopeful, the Gingko displays fan-shaped leaves turned beautiful hues of gold throughout autumn.
Origin: China
Average Height: 10-14m
Maintenance: Gingko trees can tolerate strong drought, wind and even air pollution. They prefer moist soil, and do well in both partial shade or full sun.
Does it Bear Fruit: The Gingko tree produces biloba fruit from summer to autumn. However, if the smell when opened isn’t enough to turn you off, don’t eat it raw! Gingko fruit requires cooking and moderated consumption
Colours: Golden yellow throughout autumn
Season: Autumn
Corresponding Birthday: April 19 to May 20 – Taurus
Golden Wattle
Bright and warm, Golden Wattles are the perfect choice to represent a golden person in your life. They have a strong connection with Australia, with a long history of Indigenous use and celebration.
Origin: South East Australia
Average Height: 3-8m
Maintenance: Golden Wattles need watering and pruning while young, but are mostly self sufficient after maturity. They do best in full or partial sun.
Does it Bear Fruit: Yes! Golden Wattles produce dark brown fruit often used for perfume.
Colours: Gold
Season: late winter to early spring
Jacaranda
Wise, idealistic and lucky, Jacarandas display clusters of delicate purple bell-shaped flowers during the late summer. A great tree to plant in memory of someone known for a love of the colour purple.
Origin: South America
Average Height: 10-15m
Maintenance: Jacarandas should be shielded from strong wind. They are mostly tolerant to drought, however they do benefit from regular watering during summer.
Does it Bear Fruit: Jacaranda trees are poisonous and none of the tree, including its fruit, should be consumed.
Colours: Lilac
Season: Summer
Japanese Maple
Peaceful and bold, the Japanese Maple boasts elegantly cut leaves that turn a brilliant bright crimson during the autumn.
Origin: Japan
Average Height: 1-7m
Maintenance: Japanese Maples are extremely easy to care for. They do not require much pruning, just make sure to water them adequately in summer months.
Does it Bear Fruit: They produce samaras, which are sometimes used raw in salads.
Colours: Changes from green to red
Season: Autumn
Corresponding Birthday: March 20 to April 18 – Aries
Ornamental Pear
Hopeful and resilient, the Ornamental Pear boasts delicate clusters of white flowers during spring. They tend to attract bees and other small insects.
Origin: China and Vietnam
Average Height: 7m
Maintenance: Generally, Ornamental Pears like lots of sunlight and regular watering. Some species are easily damaged, so they should be kept out of areas with strong wind.
Does it Bear Fruit: Despite being similar to other pears, Ornamental Pear fruit isn’t edible to humans, but often attracts birds.
Colours: White
Season: Spring
Pink Flowering Yellow Gum
Loyal and passionate, the Yellow Gum boasts beautiful scarlet flowers during the winter. This is a popular Australian choice of tree to plant in memory of someone.
Origin: Australia
Average Height: 10-30m
Maintenance: While Yellow Gums aren’t too difficult to maintain, they are prone to some diseases. In particular, to prevent powdery mildew in winter, the leaves should be watered in winter.
Does it Bear Fruit: This tree has no edible fruit.
Colours: Pink and Red flowering variants
Season: Winter
Corresponding Birthday: August 23 to September 22 – Virgo
Queensland Kauri
Confident and strong, the Queensland Kauri towers high above the surrounding landscape, captivating all with its molting, smooth bark.
Origin: Queensland
Average Height: 50m
Maintenance: These trees like medium watering, warmth and direct or diffused sunlight.
Does it Bear Fruit: Queensland Kauri’s produce an edible pine fruit that has an acidic, pineapple-mango taste.
Colours: Green
Season: Winter
Redbud
Origin: North America
Average Height: 6m
Maintenance: Redbud trees like full sun and well drained soil.
Does it Bear Fruit: Redbud flowers are edible both raw and cooked!
Colours: Pink, White
Season: Spring
Sweet Gum
Optimistic and strong, the Sweet Gum features distinguishable lobed-leaves that turn brilliant shades of purples, reds, and oranges during autumn. When scratched, they produce a golden, sweet-smelling sap.
Origin: North America and Asia
Average Height: 15-20m
Maintenance: Aside from fertiliser every few years, Sweet Gum trees need little care. They are especially drought resistant, and don’t need to be watered past maturity.
Does it Bear Fruit: Sweet Gums produce small, spiky fruit that cannot be eaten.
Colours: Purple, red and orange
Season: Autumn
Corresponding Birthday: May 21 to June 20 – Gemini
Trident Maple
Unique and strong, the Trident Maple represents endurance. It’s three-pronged leaves turn bronze-red in the fall as a symbol of vitality.
Origin: Eastern China, Taiwan and Japan
Average Height: 6-10m
Maintenance: Trident Maples do well in the heat, but must have partial shade at temperatures above 32° celsius.
Does it Bear Fruit: This tree has no edible fruit.
Colours: Bronze-red
Season: Fall
Tulip Magnolia
Wise and compassionate, the elegant Tulip Magnolia displays beautiful goblet-shaped deep-purple flowers during the early spring. Their smell is somewhat spicy, reminiscent of other Magnolia flowers.
Origin: Asia, North America and West Indies
Average Height: 4.5-6m
Maintenance: Like other Magnolias, Tulip Magnolias like to be mulched in spring to ensure health throughout the year. They should be watered regularly in adolescence.
Does it Bear Fruit: This tree has no edible fruit.
Colours: Deep purple
Season: Spring
Corresponding Birthday: September 23 to October 22 – Libra
White Magnolia
Origin: China and Japan
Average Height: 10 m
Maintenance: White Magnolias prefer well-draining soil that is consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells, and make sure the soil around the tree stays evenly moist.
Does it Bear Fruit: White Magnolia produces cone-shaped fruit but is primarily valued for its showy flowers.
Colours: White
Season: Mid-spring
Wollemi Pine
Mysterious and dark, the Wollemi Pine is one of the rarest plants in the world. This tree can represent someone both curious and caring, as the plant is currently endangered.
Origin: New South Wales
Average Height: 40m
Maintenance: Wollemi Pines like frequent watering, especially in the summer months. They can also be pruned heavily without detriment.
Does it Bear Fruit: This tree has no edible fruit.
Colours: Green
Season: Spring
Mornington Green Legacy Gardens
Becoming a tree in Mornington Green is one way of minimising environmental impact while also paying tribute to the deceased’s legacy in a lasting, touching way. Our botanical memorial gardens serves as a peaceful final resting place for those who prefer trees over headstones.
Mornington Green utilises Living Legacy’s patented scientific process where people’s cremated ashes are infused into a tree. Thus, the ashes of the deceased continue to live on through the trees, and their loved ones can visit the tree as it grows and blossoms.
All of the trees featured on this page are grown at Mornington Green’s Legacy Garden. If one speaks to you, Contact us today to learn more.
