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Help the Environment Without Getting Your Hands Dirty: Gift a Tree

Blog Summary – Key Points Covered

Help the Environment Without Getting Your Hands Dirty: Gift a Tree

1. The planet is losing billions of trees annually
2. The benefits and importance of trees
3. How you can help the environment
4. Gift a Tree: A uniquely personal and non-materialistic gift
5. The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant a tree and help the environment

A question that several customers have asked recently is “How can I help the environment?” I admit that my answer is a bit biased, some will say there is a bit conflict of interest, but it is a solution one can accomplish without getting their hands dirty – gift a tree. Any number in the billions is a hard number to comprehend, but every year the earth has a net decline of approximately 10 billion trees. This number is derived from reports compiled by the World Resources Institute and the Food and Agriculture Organization. This number is a net figure, arrived at by the planet’s losing approximately 15 billion trees a year whereas only 5 billion a year are planted. There are several factors contributing to this number. Some we are quite familiar with, such as the result of forest fires and clear cutting of swaths of trees for wood. Other factors don’t come to mind quite as easily such as disease, agriculture space requirements, and urbanization – making space to build new homes. No matter what the reason, the impact from this tree loss is devastating. The loss of trees has significant consequences, including releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, damaging ecosystems, causing biodiversity loss, and reducing the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon.

How Does Planting Trees Help the Environment?

Trees are important to the earth, and provide many benefits, some of which are listed below in no particular order:

Trees absorb CO2 gases helping offset the effects of climate change.
Trees provide oxygen and clean the air at the same time.
Tree coverage helps cool by day and retain heat at night thus conserving energy.
Trees act as natural water filters, reduce soil erosion, and help prevent flooding.
Trees help increase property values and beautify communities.
Trees provide a habitat for the world’s plants and animals to, if not thrive, at least survive.
Trees can provide food for both humans and animals.
Trees provide many health benefits including shielding us from harmful ultra-violet rays.
Trees create economic opportunities, especially in impoverished areas around the world.
Trees provide shade so we can enjoy a picnic.

In summary, trees are simply amazing. They clean air and water, reverse the impact of land degradation, prevent species loss, and ease poverty by helping communities achieve long-term economic sustainability by providing food, energy, and income. Finally, planting trees is one of the easiest and most important ways to help stave off the effects of climate change. Unfortunately, however, not everyone has the capacity or the resources to plant a tree. The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant a tree without getting your hands dirty and help the environment at the same time.

When you order a gift tree through The Gifted Tree, the company works with long-term, vetted non-profit planting partners to have your tree or trees planted in over 80 tree planting projects around the world and send out unique, hand-crafted tribute cards announcing the commemorative tree planting. These planting partners have certified arborists on the ground who determine the best species of trees to plant, the best time(s) of the year to plant them and oversee the tree planting sessions. They then monitor the site conditions for a period of time to ensure the long-term survivability of the planted trees, always the ultimate goal when we plat a tree. You get the benefits of a planted tree without having to get your hands in the dirt and mud!

Your tree planting through The Gifted Tree is not only a unique gift helping a loved one during a time of grieving or celebrating one of life’s milestone events, but you are also helping make the planet a better place for future generations. Helping the environment and humanity-all of this is possible with a tree gift. Amazing, simple and easy!

October 30, 2025/by Doug Bell

How To

Why Plant Gift Tree With The Gifted Tree 2

More FAQs Answered: Why Plant a Memorial Tree with The Gifted Tree?

In my last blog I answered several frequently asked questions: How do I plant a tree as a gift?, How much does it cost to plant a celebration or memorial tree?, and Where can the tree be planted? As we have planted over 150,000 gift trees since 2013 in United States National Forests, and in 40+ countries around the world, it makes sense that more excellent and valid FAQs come up. I will answer some more of the common ones in this blog, all focused on addressing the main question of, Why plant a memorial tree with The Gifted Tree?

How do I know the Gift Tree has been Planted?

This very important question is frequently asked since we do not send pictures of each individual gift tree. The best answer is that we work with very professional and trusted planting partners around the world, ones that we have carefully vetted and have partnered with for years. We know that when we send them instructions to plant your tree, they will make sure it is done. These non-profit NGOs are some of the oldest and largest tree conservation groups in the United States and around the world who have planted millions of trees where they are needed. Our partners are focused on reforestation, giving back to the environment, creating a healthier climate, and protecting biodiversity. They pick the right species of trees to plant in the project as well as the optimal time of the year to plant them. The trees get a head start in a nursey that is indigenous to the planting project area, before they are planted in the wild. They plant these one to two feet saplings, and then manage their care helping to ensure a healthy tree that will be around for generations.

Is there a Plaque on the Tree?

It would be nice if your gift tree could have a plaque with the honoree’s name attached or on a post next to it. I am sure you have visited local parks where you come across this similar sort of acknowledgement. Unfortunately, this is not practical or allowed in our tree planting projects. Your gift tree plantings are part of a large-scale reforestation project. Arborists and volunteers will walk out to the planting area, many in quite remote areas of the forest, carrying perhaps a hundred trees in a large pouch and begin planting. It would not be feasible or practical for them to also place a plaque by each tree planting. Nor is it allowed. Imagine these plaques as the tree grows in circumference. The plaque would fall off and litter the forest floor. Not the outcome that is desired. The desired outcome that is accomplished by these planting – rejuvenating forests and providing environmental and socio-economic benefits makes these projects worthwhile. And thanks to your foresight and generosity, this goal is achieved even though individual recognition at the point of planting is not.

Can I visit the tree?

While we know the general area of the tree planting, as alluded to above, we do not know the specific tree and therefore, it is not possible to visit the tree. Keep in mind that many of our projects are in remote areas and difficult, and in some cases dangerous to get to. It is not as easy as saying drive 20 miles on this road until you reach mile post so and so, park your car on the brim of the road and walk in 25 feet. It probably closer to drive your 4-wheel drive vehicle 35 miles up this fire road, hoping you don’t get stuck, and walk a mile or two through difficult terrain to reach the planting area.

That being said, The Gifted Tree does provide you with the next best alternative, a virtual visit. Each of our projects has a description available to you and the recipient, outlining the goal(s) of the project along with the species of trees to be planted. On top of that, most description provide a link to Bing earth maps so that you are able to see the general area of the tree planting on your computer to get a feel for where in the state and country the tree gift is located.

One last thing that I mentioned to tree gifters is that it is possible to visit the forest where the tree is planted. For example you can go to Pike San Isabel National Forest, Colorado, just outside of Denver. You can hike the trails in the forest, and while you won’t know exactly where your tree is planted, you will be able to smile knowing that you have contributed to this beautiful area and made a difference in the life of the recipient. Or the honoree’s family can visit that forest and close their eyes while hiking and absorb the energy and spirit of their beloved family member.

Please feel free to check out our new, visually appealing video that highlights FAQ answers in film form. Additionally, the FAQ page on our website has answers to many more questions, if you can’t wait. And one of the benefits of doing business with The Gifted Tree is that we are the company with a personal touch and many positive testimonials; you can talk to a real person to get answers if that suits you. Call our toll-free number, 800-984-2101, during business hours 9:00 – 4:00 eastern (Monday – Friday). But not on Saturday or Sunday – a lot of times on the weekends we are out planting trees in our part of the country!

October 30, 2024/by Doug Bell

How To

Why Plant a Gift Tree with The Gifted Tree

6 Key Questions Answered: Why Plant a Memorial Tree with The Gifted Tree?

The Gifted Tree has been planting memorial and celebration gift trees since 2013 and sending beautiful hand-crafted tribute cards to family and friends announcing the gift. Whether to honor a lost family member, friend, or pet, or to celebrate a life milestone event, we have planted over 150,000 trees in United States National Forests and in over 40 countries around the world. Understandably, people have questions about what we do: How does this work? How much does it cost? and Where can I plant a celebration or memorial tree? The answer to those questions and many others can be found in the FAQ section on our website. The Gifted Tree has also gotten with the times and produced a video that also provides insights and answers to those questions along with a few others.

How does it work to plant a tree as a gift?

The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant a tree in memory of a loved one (including pets) or to honor someone who is celebrating an important event. It can be done in 3 easy steps: 1. On the order form, you will choose the tribute design, number of trees planted, and a planting location from over 80 locations in U.S. National Forests and around the world. 2. Personalize the tree planting certificate and let us know who to mail it to. Don’t stress if you don’t know what to write. We have lots of heartfelt suggestions on what to write (including those specifically for pet memorial trees). 3. We will hand create the tribute card (no automatic computer-generated certificates) and mail it to wherever you tell us. Our non-profit tree planting partners will plant your tree and look after it to ensure it is well on its way to providing a lifetime of shade and ecological benefits. If desired, we provide info on the planting project and a way to virtually view the general area of the tree planting.

Please understand that physical trees are not sent: your gift tree planting is announced by a beautiful, unique tribute card (which contains the tree planting certificate) that is mailed to the recipient. You can also choose to have the tribute card sent to you if you would like to hand deliver it yourself.

How much does it cost to plant a memorial or celebration tree?

The cost of the gift will depend on the tribute option you select. There are six different tribute design options available to choose from ranging from a handmade seed paper card to a pop-up card to several framed options. There is also an animated email option which is very beneficial if you want to get it there quickly, or for international orders, or if you don’t know the mailing address of the recipient. The costs range from $19.95 for the eCard up to $69.95 for the Lucite framed option and include the planting of one tree. Multiple trees are available for a small additional charge per tree, and that additional charge per tree can be found on the order form. In any case the total number of trees you plant is noted on the tree planting certificate.

Where can I plant a memorial or celebration gift tree?

One of the advantages of working with The Gifted Tree is that we have tree planting locations in the United States and in 40+ countries around the world to choose from. With the earth losing approximately 10 -15 billion trees per year, coupled with losing the benefits those trees provide, trees are needed everywhere. Therefore, don’t stress on where to plant your memorial or celebration tree as all our planting projects provide tremendous benefits to the earth. Our suggestion is to plant where the individual you are honoring lives or lived, vacationed, or had some sort of family connection. Wherever you decide, that location will be noted on the tree planting certificate, and project descriptions are available describing the goals of the project, the species of trees to be planted, along with the ability to take a virtual tour of most projects by viewing a Bing earth map.

There are several more questions addressed in our new, visually appealing video, and I will highlight those answers in my next blog. As previously mentioned, our FAQ page has answers to many more questions, if you can’t wait. And one of the benefits of doing business with The Gifted Tree is that we are the company with a personal touch, and you can talk to a real person to get answers if that suits you. Call our toll-free number, 800-984-2101, during business hours 9:00 – 4:00 eastern (Monday – Friday, not Saturday or Sunday). A lot of times on the weekends we are out planting trees in our part of the country!

September 30, 2024/by Doug Bell

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