Frequently asked questions

Mornington Green is a botanical memorial garden on the Mornington Peninsula. Cremated ashes are safely treated and infused into the soil at the base of a chosen tree, creating a Legacy Tree instead of a grave or headstone. Over a thousand Legacy Trees grow across the gardens today, and visitors are welcome year round.

Mornington Green was founded by Warren Roberts and Luke Roberts. In April 2020 they found a former golf course in Somerville and turned it into the gardens.

A patented treatment that neutralises the high pH of cremated ashes so they become nitrogen, potassium and other nutrients a tree can absorb.

Options include scattering, an urn or a Legacy Tree. With a Living Legacy at Mornington, the ashes are treated with the Living Legacy Formula, then infused into the soil to feed a chosen tree.

No. Scattering is permitted in Australia, usually with council or landowner permission. Untreated ashes can harm soil and plants because of their high pH.

Cremation involves placing the deceased inside a purpose-built cremator at around 1000 degrees celsius for 1 to 2 hours. The remaining ashes and bone fragments are processed into a fine powder and returned to the family. Cremated ash is extremely alkaline, with a pH similar to bleach and oven cleaner, which inhibits soil health, photosynthesis and water absorption.

There are no restrictions from the Australian Department of Health, but each postal service sets its own policy. Call ahead, be fully transparent about what is being sent, use tracked shipping, and apply any required labels.

Research by Adelaide's Centennial Park found that 160 kilograms of carbon dioxide is produced on the day of a cremation, almost four times more than a burial. Long-term grave maintenance produces even more carbon. Planting a single tree generally offsets the carbon impact of cremation, and Mornington Green plants 400 additional offset trees in the buyer's name across Australia and abroad for every Legacy Tree.

Yes. If the tree has available capacity, additional ash infusions can be added later.

Yes. Multiple sets of ashes can be infused into the same tree, depending on its size. Medium trees can hold up to 2 ash infusions, Large up to 5, Extra Large up to 8, and Accent Trees up to 12.

Yes. Your Family Legacy Tree can include the ashes of a beloved pet, allowing family members and pets to be remembered together.

Untreated ashes have a pH of around 12 and high salt content, which can stress roots and stop growth. The Living Legacy Formula neutralises the pH so the ashes become tree nutrients.

Yes, but it is still not good for them. Large established trees can sometimes survive small amounts of untreated ash, growing around the buried mass rather than from it. The harmful impact on soil can last hundreds of years, as historic cases of buried remains have shown. Legacy Trees are different because they grow from the treated ashes, continuing the circle of life.

A biodegradable urn breaks down, but the ashes inside stay untreated and can harm roots. A Legacy Tree uses treated ashes that become nutrients for the tree.

Yes. Ashes do not have a "used by" date. The Living Legacy procedure has been proven to work with cremated ashes dating back to the 1960s.

Pricing varies by tree species, size, location and the number of family members sharing the tree. Contact the team for a personalised quote.

Each package includes ash treatment, your chosen tree, a planting ceremony with photography, a custom plaque and perpetual care. Cremation and funeral director costs are separate.

Yes. A tree can be selected and planted today, then nourished with treated ashes later on. More family members can be added over time, depending on the tree size.

Yes. Forest Conservation Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 59 639 330 617) operates fully under Australian Consumer Law, with additional warranties provided on top as part of our commitment to excellence.

The land is protected by a conservation agreement and cannot be developed or logged. Care of the land is held by an associated not-for-profit landcare company responsible for its upkeep in perpetuity.

The site has over 4 kilometres of fully integrated sprinkler systems, plus dam and bore water capacity to provide over 20 litres of water per tree per day. The location was selected for low fire, flood and drought risk, sits about 300 metres from Western Port Bay, and does not adjoin any high-risk uncleared bushland.

Any tree that dies is replaced at our cost, in the same chosen location, with the site protected in perpetuity. Mulch and seedlings from the original tree are reused where possible. Our biological infusion sustains the tree for around seven years, long enough for it to establish. If a tree dies prematurely, one application of bio-liquid re-activates the microbes in the soil so a new tree can be planted in the same spot. A crystal keepsake is also provided so a small portion of ashes or seeds can be kept for future planting.

Certified horticulturists provide ongoing care for the tree in perpetuity, so it will always be looked after for future generations.