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Human ashes killing tree?

deborah.russelldeborah.russell Posts: 3
in Problem solving
My little Fraser Fir that was planted as a memorial tree is dying (needles going brown). Human cremated ashes are buried under it. I did not realise that these do not bio-degrade and are toxic to plants. I feel awful about this situation and my question is whether there is anything I can do to rectify the situation (respectfully)?
I have found a product (living memorial soil blend) that claims to neutralise the toxins. Has anyone tried this? Would it be possible to lift the tree (it was planted 18 months ago) mix this into the soil containing the ashes, then re-plant the tree?
Any ideas gratefully received.

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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Your fir is more likely to be killed by lack of water than anything else  :)
    Drought, especially when establishing, is what sees them off. Alternatively, it can be waterlogging. They need lots of water, but decent drainage. Once established they cope well.
    If it was planted 18 months ago, lack of water through last year is the most likely reason. It would have needed a bucketful every few days all summer, unless it had perfect growing conditions - ie soil and climate. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    @deborah.russell I have mixed ashes around a Tree Peony with no detrimental effect. It was for a client who had a great knowledge and understanding of plants. I can't advise if it would be different for conifers my thoughts would be the type of soil they require which is slightly acid and not thick sticky clay. Is the plant right for the soil conditions? 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    We have some of my mothers ashes under a lilac tree in my sisters garden and it’s flourishing. Who told you ashes were toxic? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There wouldn't be many trees in graveyards if ashes were toxic  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I think the problem is likely to be if the ashes are not mixed in well, and in one clump, much like too much fertiliser. Ashes per se are not toxic, the crematorium where a lot of my relatives are scattered have a lovely rose garden.  As fairygirl says, last summer was very hard on many plants especially newly planted.  If it dies, throw in a few bucketfuls of compost or well rotted farmyard manure, and mix in well before you replant anything in that spot. Human ashes are practically all bonemeal, they react with acid in the soil and eventually degrade over a few years.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    Your pic looks more like scorch on the branch tips than sickness from the roots up.  Please send a pic of the whole tree.  I think you need to think wider about likely causes.

    Human ashes are no worse than wood ashes.  If too concentrated they might cause the local roots to die off, but the further away roots would continue to grow.  Ashes will degrade slowly to soluble chemicals.  Lots of water night help to dilute these.

    There are always products marketed at vulnerable people.    I have just read a water-garden brochure that was full of wonder products for worrying situations.  Some to counteract the result of others.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    I mixed some of my mum's ashes into the soil of my raised beds when I first filled them and the trees and perennials I planted in them have thrived. The suggestions in the comments above seem most likely, trees need a lot of attention in their early days and last summer was horrendous.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree @bédé  … I may be cynical but I suspect that no one ever said that human ashes were toxic until they’d got a product they could sell to counteract the ‘problem’. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited May 2023
    We are all looking out for  scams. These types of products where one thing counteracts another are simply that. For someone's financial benefit with no regard for the effects of human health or ecology. But still they are sold often to someone feeling vulnerable or concerned.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • deborah.russelldeborah.russell Posts: 3
    Thank you so much for all your comments.
    1. It was watered every few days all though last summer, I have weeded around it regularly and have mulched it with well rotted manure (keeping it away from the stem
    2. I have sprayed it twice for Spider Mite as that was what I thought it was.
    3. The fact that ashes are toxic is covered in detail by several sites also the fact that they do not de-grade as all organic material is burned off. It is the high concentration of salt that it says does the damage. There is only one product on the market that claims to help.
    4. It is a sensitive because it is my neighbours ashes that I said could be buried there (not in an urn) but I didn't see them going in so I suspect that they are in a clump. I suspect this could be the problem, particularly if as you say conifers need acid soil and info says that ashes cause soil to be alkaline.
    5. Additional picture in case it helps

    Facinating debate - thank you all so much for contributing.
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