Question
My Step Mother recently planted an Acer Plant and within the soil she mixed in the ashes of my Father who died in an accident.  It is coming up to the first anniversary and I want to know if I can use the seeds that seem to be appearing or a shoot maybe to grow my own Acer from this plant?  The reason we put the ashes in the soil is so that my Fathers DNA would be present in the structure of the plant.  Have you heard of this before and does it work?
Thanks in anticipation of your help.
Nicola

Answer
Hi Nicola,
Thanx for your question.  I cannot tell you what happens to human DNA in the process of cremation and then applying the ashes to the plant your step-mother planted.  I suppose someone experienced with genetics would be able to answer that portion of your question.  I've discussed growing Japanese maples from cuttings and basically, I've not been successful at it and it is very difficult to accomplish.  Seeds would be the best way to go.  You didn't say what kind of Acer you have.  Some Japanese maples have germination rates of only 50%.  Others, much better.  Let me know what kind of Acer you have and I can give you a better answer.  In a spiritual sense, I have always believed that we are all "of" this Earth and it is where our physical form returns when we complete our time on the planet.  To return to the Earth is often seen in many cultures as completing the circle of life.  I hope this helps.
Tom