guildfordcycads

My wife and I are looking for a house to homestead on after being renters for a decade. I like the challenge of a micro permaculture setup and have gone down some rabbit holes on how to do it on one acre or less.

One of the houses we’re looking at is across the street from a very rural cemetery (oldest graves 1800s – newest early 2023). I’ve read some things about how chemicals can seep into the groundwater and nearby earth near a cemetery. Would planting nut/fruit bearing trees and bushes be unsafe? Also wondering what deep rooted taller shrubs/trees you would plant to (1) block the view a bit and give your yard some privacy and (2) work to remediate any heavy metals/chemicals possibly making their way towards the land in order to make in ground plants safe for harvest and eating? Salix family maybe? Taller sunflowers?

Any ideas would be appreciated!