What is the purpose of putting a fish in before planting a tree?

Question

We will be having a tree planting ceremony and somewhere I had read that you can throw a fish in the hole dug before putting in the tree instead of something else (fertilizer? tree food?). If this does help the tree grow, then is there a specific kind of fish or does it have to be treated with something? I am thinking kids helping us plant the tree, might have fun with this part - either that or we put something else in the hole before planting like messages or their time capsules. What do you think would help the tree & be fun for kids? Thanks

Answer 1

fertilizer, the Indians taught the pilgrims that, although i think they also planted their beans and corn and squash together because the beans make their own fertilizer and the squash is a vine that grows up the cornstalk!

Answer 2

Fish will rot and decay and make a natural fertilizer. You could throw any kind of decomposing animal or vegetable matter in there for the same effect. Save up your food garbage for a week.

Time capsules are not a good idea to plant under a tree, as you probably will not want to kill the tree to retrieve it. The time capsules are usually put into a building site, or some kind of container that can be reopened in the future - say 25, 50, or 100 years. If you are doing it for your kids, Bury a container with lots of photos, newspaper, a toy or some object that they want to remember, and have a set date for them to dig it up and look at the reminders of this date. Maybe choose a date year ten years from now, or fifteen, twenty or twenty five... It will give you all something to look forward to, and a reason for a reunion in the future.

Answer 3

The dead fish is organic matter. It acts as a natural fertilizer, and provides nitrogen and other nutrients as your young tree takes root and grows. You can also add some manure, although that might not be very appealing to the youngsters. Any organic matter will work wonders for trees and plants.

Consider starting a compost bin. Your plants and flowers will thank you.

Answer 4

This goes back to the traditional planting practice of Eastern Native Americans. A small fish would be planted below every corn hill, its nitrogen and phosphorus benifits may not have been named at the time, but results were time tested. For trees, it won't hurt , but, nothing fresh please. It would attract coons and possums.

Answer 5

Rotting fish (any kind about size of a bullhead fish) = fertilizer.
Some kids may not like this idea if they have 'pet' fish.
Could also throw in vegetable scraps: potatoes, carrots, bananna peels, egg shells, and even leaves, etc.. which will also rot (like in a compost pile). Throw in a few worms or night crawlers.