Why I chose to plant a birth tree instead of my placenta

Science, sentiment and queasiness

At antenatal classes today, mums-to-be learn far more than breathing and relaxation techniques. The modern syllabus covers everything from hypnobirthing playlists to placenta decisions.You can eat it, donate it, or even bury it beneath your favourite rose bush these days. 

Rooted in meaning

When Cyrus arrived, I couldn’t recall much about the placenta, let alone seeing it. I’d signed a form allowing it to be used for research which felt wise, considering one of our neighbour’s cats had been using our flowerbeds as its personal spa retreat. But while I didn’t bring home the afterbirth in a Tupperware box, H and I still wanted to mark our son’s arrival with something enduring. That’s how the idea of planting a birth tree took root.

Choosing the right tree

It turns out, picking a tree is as challenging as choosing a baby name. Evergreen or deciduous? Native or exotic? I loved the bright orange berries of the Rowan, while H favoured a dainty cherry blossom. Our differing tastes somehow met in the middle, settling on an American oak. Strong, traditional, and deeply symbolic, a tree that whispered patience, endurance, and growth.

From little acorns

We eventually chose a red oak for its vivid autumnal colours. When it arrived, it was less majestic than the online image suggested, more 

“Great oaks grow from little acorns – a reminder that even the smallest beginnings can flourish into something enduring.”

Why it matters

Standing back, admiring our not-so-mighty oak, I realised it wasn’t only for our son. It was for the world he’d grow up in. In an age where we replace rather than repair, planting something that will outlive us felt quietly radical. We need more of that – not just more trees, but more patience, more care, more connection with the earth beneath our feet.

• Choose a tree that reflects your family’s story.
• Pick a location where it can thrive long-term.
• Involve your child in caring for it – a living lesson in growth and stewardship.