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Below are The Gifted Tree’s tree planting projects available in Europe. Click on the “Planting Project Details” button below any project to learn about the goals of the project, the species of trees planted, and, if available, a link to virtually view the general planting area via Bing earth maps. Help reforest our Earth with a special gift tree. Plant a celebration or memorial tree in a country in Europe. It is quite meaningful, especially if the recipient has a strong connection to the country through residency or family heritage.

France

The Gifted Tree planting project in France

The planting projects in France take place all over the country and aim to perpetuate the multifunctionality of the French forest and contribute to its adaptation to climate change. With over 40 million acres, the French forest covers 30 % of the country. France is experiencing a decline of approximately 80 million trees annually due to natural disasters and tree diseases thereby affecting the biodiversity and environmental benefits of the French forests.

The planting of your memorial gift tree in France will aid in maintaining the long-term biodiversity of its forests. Managed in a sustainable manner, this planting project in France help forests adapt to climate change, restore deteriorated forests in the wake of fires, natural disasters and diseases, develop biodiversity, clean up soils and waterways, reinforce vegetation cover in sparsely-wooded areas, and support sustainable energy transition through wood collection and environment-friendly exploitation of the timber.

Ireland

The Gifted Tree planting project in Ireland

When most people think of Ireland they envision a green covered island. While the Emerald Island is indeed green, it is not due to trees. Ireland has the lowest forest cover of all European countries. Over the centuries, Ireland has experienced a near-total destruction of its forests, mainly because of human activity and climate change; from an initial forest cover of around 80% to less than 1%.

This is particularly sad because living trees have played a central role in the practical daily and spiritual lives of the Irish people for centuries. Trees served as landmarks and icons of family and clan identity, and their importance can be measured by the great number of tree-based place names in Ireland – of the 16,000 towns in Ireland, 13,000 are named after trees.

Your planting of a gift tree in Ireland will be of the beech, oak, or ash variety on the Lisnavagh estate covering hundreds of acres in County Carlow. Because regeneration of the Irish woodlands is of critical importance, the tree will help in repopulating the country’s forestry and support a healthy biodiversity of flora and wildlife.

Italy

Pomino, Tuscany, Italy planting site

The planting project is located in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy (Tuscany), the Pomino Forest which borders the Casentinesi National Forest Park. The goal of the planting project is to return this forest mountain area to its original diversity.

Following the Second World War, this forest was totally planted in Douglas fir, significantly reducing the biodiversity of the site. The project will replant Oak, Chestnut, Beech and Birch trees on this 1,500 acre site, trees which were indigenous to area before the war. Along with leaving the Douglas Fir in place, this management will bring about natural regeneration of the area, and make it possible to recreate the original local biodiversity and the return of large fauna. Already, wolves, in particular, are once again present in this forest.

While the project will have tremendous environmental benefits, it will also provide social economic advantages as well. All the work is carried out by a local workforce, who work in the ubiquitous vineyards for part of the season and in the forest for the rest of the time. The area is also public grounds which provides a recreation haven for local residents and tourists.

Portugal

The Gifted Trees Planting Location in Portugal

Portugal has one of the largest wooded areas in Europe (35.8% of its area). This forest is 85% private, and the rest of the forest heritage is held mainly by shared communities (basically communes); the state only possesses 3% of it. In June of 2017, fires ravaged a wide swath of the Portuguese countryside destroying about 75,000 acres of woodland.

The Portuguese forest is mainly composed of leafy species such as oak, chestnut or eucalyptus, and your planting of a gift tree here will include one of these varieties. The goal, besides restoring a devastated ecosystem following the fires, is to bring biodiversity back into this environment by encouraging the planting of leafy trees, while fighting against global warming.

Spain

Landscape of tree planting area in Spain

With over 45 million acres, the Spanish forest is the fourth largest forest area in Europe. Invaluable in every way, it is highly beneficial to its environment: preserving local biodiversity, filtering water, and preventing soil erosion. However, due to climate change in Europe, the Spanish forest is affected by many scourges: diseases, fires, and storms regularly degrade it and have serious consequences for the human population as well as the native wildlife.

Soil erosion, in particular, is a major problem of the Spanish land, not only causing dramatic flooding due to ground instability, but also making it difficult to cultivate the farmland. To this must be added high frequency fires which, fed as they are by repeated droughts, regularly wreak havoc in Spain’s forests.

The planting of your gift tree in Spain will be in one of three project areas: the Asturias region of northern Spain, the forests of Navarre, and in Zaragoza. Your planting of deciduous trees in these areas hard hit by fires and disease will reintroduce biodiversity within pine forests, so as to enhance their resilience, and slow down the spread of wood-destroying insects, create areas to shelter animals and stimulate biodiversity, and contribute to the fight against soil erosion. Finally, by restoring forests, you are also helping to combat climate change as the trees store large amounts of CO2.

A beautiful, majestic tree is a living memorial of life-changing events. Its strength, long lifespan, and regal nature give it a monument-like quality and make it a powerful tribute to a life well lived or an occasion worthy of celebration. The projects in Europe, described above, are fluid and the project details are subject to change as planting projects fill up or location dynamics shift. The planting location in Europe will be indicated on the tree planting certificate on the tribute card although no plaque is on the tree (they are not allowed) and it is not possible to visit the tree. Our non-profit tree planting partners will plant your tree during the next planting season, usually late spring or fall, and look after it over the next few years to ensure its long-term survivability. Always remember that your tree is not only a gift to the recipient, but also a gift to the world which will provide much satisfaction for future generations in the years to come. If you have any questions, or problems ordering your tree, please do not hesitate to contact us. Remember, you can call and talk to a live person, 800-984-2101.

Our Favorite Tree Quotes

  1. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” –  Chinese proverb
  2. “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” – Greek proverb
  3. ” Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffet