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Why You Should Consider Giving a Gift Tree for a Birthday

Planting a birthday tree

Planting trees in memory of a loved one has become quite popular, but customers I speak with are always excited when I let them know that planting a gift tree to celebrate a birthday or the birth of a new born is also a good idea. It is not that they have discounted the notion in the past, but more that they have just not considered it. Once I plant the seed in their mind, pun intended, they give me two thumbs up. “I wish I would have thought of that before!”

Now that the thought is growing in your mind, I will further elaborate on why you should plant a tree to celebrate a birthday and why it is an excellent and meaningful gift.

Birthday cake in the forest

A Gift That Keeps Giving

Planting a tree in celebration of a birthday is the gift that keeps giving. Unlike most birthday gifts that break, fall out of favor, or get forgotten, a tree continues to grow for years, sometimes decades or even centuries. That means:

  • The recipient is reminded of your gift year after year.
  • It contributes beauty and value to the world.
  • It can be enjoyed by future generations.If the gift is given in celebration of a newborn, that baby will grow up, and now the celebration tree is also growing right along with him or her. Furthermore, you have a built-in birthday gift for life as you can have a tree planted for each subsequent birthday. Before you know, a whole grove will be growing in the same area. You will no longer have to struggle coming up with a birthday gift idea year after year, just have a new tree planted and send a tribute card announcing the planting.

Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable

In an age where people are increasingly aware of being green, a tree is an eco-conscious gift. One tree can:

  • Absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
  • Improve air quality.
  • Help combat climate change.
  • Help improve water quality
  • Support biodiversity by providing food and shelter for animals, birds and insects.

Thus, while you are giving a gift to a person, at the same time you are giving a gift to the planet. There is nothing better than a feel-good gift, which a gift tree is.

A Birthday Tree Gift is a Living Metaphor for Life

Trees are rich in symbolism. Across cultures, they represent life, growth, strength, resilience, and renewal — all powerful messages for a birthday celebration. In Irish culture, for instance, trees are deeply revered and hold immense spiritual and practical significance, representing life, wisdom, and a connection to the supernatural. They are viewed as bridges between the mortal world, the heavens, and the underworld, with their roots, trunks, and branches symbolizing different realms. Trees were not just sources of resources like food and shelter, but also held spiritual power, with specific trees associated with different deities, ancestors, and magical properties. No matter the recipient’s heritage, gifting a tree can symbolize:

  • A new chapter in life.
  • The personal growth and maturity the person has achieved.
  • Hope for continued strength and vitality in the coming year and years ahead.
  • Someone who is well grounded and whose roots have spread wide.
  • A potent symbol for life itself

It’s a living gift that grows along with the person. A tree is more than wood and leaves — it’s a living symbol of life’s journey. And it is a gift for any stage of life, whether you are honoring the birth of a child or celebrating an octogenarian.

Unique and Non-Materialistic

Instead of another gift card, toy, or gadget, a tree stands out:

  • It shows you’ve put thought and care into the gift.
  • It breaks from materialism and focuses on meaning.
  • It often sparks conversation and appreciation. A birthday tree gift is the perfect way to honor anyone who appreciates nature, enjoys meaningful and lasting gestures, or values eco-friendly initiatives. It could be a thoughtful gift for a close family member, a friend who loves the outdoors, or even a colleague who is passionate about sustainability.

No matter the person, a birthday tree symbolizes growth, life, and enduring connections, making it a thoughtful choice for people of all ages and backgrounds. This unique gift is not only personal but also contributes positively to the environment, allowing loved ones to cherish their special occasion while making a difference.

friends birthday celebrating

The Gifted Tree makes it as easy as 1,2,3 to order a birthday tree gift and check it off your list while providing a Wow reaction from the recipient.

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Memorial Tree vs Flowers: Which Lasts Longer

Old strand of Sequoia Trees

Several years ago, when speaking with one of our customers on the phone (The Gifted Tree has a toll-free telephone number where one can speak to a live person for help), she mentioned that she was so glad to find us because she no longer wanted to send flowers as a sympathy gift. Why I asked? She explained that her husband had passed recently, and she received a number of flower arrangements at the house. While they were nice, she continued, less than a week later she had to gather them all and toss them in the trash. That process brought back to the surface her sorrow of losing her loved one, a reminder of such a sad occasion.

Cut flowers don't last too long versus a tree

The Problem with Flowers

Not only do flowers not last very long, cut flowers are also not a very sustainable option.

1.      High water usage: contributes to water scarcity especially in arid environments

2.      Pesticide use: Many cut flowers are treated with pesticides and other chemicals to protect them from pests and diseases, which can pollute water sources and harm ecosystems.

3.      Carbon emissions: many cut flowers are grown outside of the United States requiring long transportation routes to get them to where they are sold. Airplane fuel and truck diesel leave a harmful carbon footprint.

4.      Refrigeration – many cut flowers require refrigeration to help them last longer before they are sold, further impacting on the carbon footprint.

5.      Unsustainable packaging – most fresh cut flowers are wrapped in plastic or held in place in a vase by foam, neither which are good for the environment

6.      Thrown in landfill – even though flowers can be composted, most are thrown in a landfill, increasing methane gas production, because most people don’t realize they can be composted or don’t have access to composting. One light band and one dark band together represent one year of growth. By counting these rings, you can determine the tree’s age.

Trees Last Longer

Even the freshest cut flowers won’t last longer than 10 days. Trees, on the other hand, can last for many generations. While it is difficult to determine the exact age of a living tree, you can measure the circumference, calculate the diameter, and then use a growth factor specific to the tree species to estimate the age. If a tree is cut down, the most common method is to count the growth rings on a cross-section of the trunk. Trees produce new growth rings each year, typically appearing as alternating light and dark bands in the trunk’s cross-section.

Treehugger.com has a list of the ten oldest trees, a number of them have lived for thousands of years, including:

Prometheus, growing in Nevada, was the oldest known tree, thought to be around 5,000 years old. Unfortunately, it was cut down for research purposes in 1964.

The very old Sarv-e Abarqu cypress tree in Syria

Sarv-e Abarqu cypress tree

Sarv-e Abarqu, is a cypress tree in the Yazd province of Iran. The tree is estimated to be at least 4,000 years old. It is considered an Iranian national monument and is most likely the oldest living thing in Asia.

Llangernyw Yewi is an incredible yew residing in a small churchyard of St. Dygain’s Church in Llangernyw village, North Wales, United Kingdom.  About 4,000 years old, the Llangernyw Yew was planted sometime in the prehistoric Bronze Age—and it’s still growing!

3,000 year old olive tree in Greece

Olive Tree of Vouves

Olive Tree of Vouves is an ancient olive tree located on the Greek island of Crete and is one of seven olive trees in the Mediterranean believed to be over 3,000 years old. Incredibly, it still produces olives, and they are highly prized. Olive trees are hardy and drought-, disease- and fire-resistant—part of the reason for their longevity and their widespread use in the region.

Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses, located on Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy is the largest and oldest known chestnut tree in the world. Believed to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, this tree’s age is particularly impressive because Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The tree has survived its eruptions even though it sits only five miles from Etna’s crater. The tree’s name originated from a legend in which a company of 100 knights was caught in a severe thunderstorm and all of them were able to take shelter under the massive tree.

Finally, the General Sherman Tree is one old tree you might be more familiar with. Believed to be around 2,500 years old, General Sherman is the mightiest giant sequoia still standing. The volume of its trunk alone makes it the largest non-clonal (not developing from a single cell) tree by volume in the world. The General Sherman tree is located in Sequoia National Park in California (a planting project area of The Gifted Tree), where five of the 10 largest trees in the world exist.

Old and tall General Sherman Tree

General Sherman Tree

Trees a Clear Winner Versus Flowers

This is not to say that the trees planted by The Gifted Tree will last that long, but it is safe to say they will be here for many generations, and that cannot be said for flowers. The Gifted Tree plants both memorial and celebration trees in one of our 80+ projects around the world. You pick the project, the tribute design and personalize your message. We send the card to the recipient (or to you) and have the tree planted by one of our non-profit planting partners who then provides care for your tree. If you have questions or need help, feel free to call and talk to a real person at 800-984-2101, or order online 24/7 at TheGiftedTree.com.

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Plant a Memorial Tree for a Loved One Beyond United States’ National Forests

 

Mountain scene in a U.S. National Forest Colorado

The Gifted Tree has planted over 250,000 trees since 2013. These trees have been planted in memory of a loved one as well as to celebrate a happy milestone occasion such as a birthday or wedding. With over 80 planting project locations worldwide, many planting locations are in United States National Forests. Many of the planting projects in these national forests are to help reforest areas after fires have devastated a large swath of land.

One question I have received a lot is: “I want to plant my memorial tree in a National Forest, but not all of your projects are in National Forests.” To better understand the answer to this question, it is helpful to understand the history of the National Forest system. The United States national forest system began with the Forest Reserve Act of 1891. This act authorized the President, at that time, Benjamin Harrison, to set aside forested public lands for preservation and management. The first forest reserve, the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve, was established in 1891, and the United States Forest Service was created in 1905. As is explained on its website, the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the nation’s foremost federal forestry organization. The agency is a world leader in forest research, providing leadership in the sustainable management, conservation, use, and stewardship of natural and cultural resources on national forests and grasslands in the United States.

If you happen to look at a map of the locations of the National Forests in this country, and there are 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands, the majority are concentrated in our great West. Why is that? The Eastern United States has relatively few national forests compared to the West primarily because most eastern forestland was already privately owned by the time national forests were established. In the western states, many western national forests were created from land already owned by the U.S. government, making it easier and less expensive to establish them. In the East, unlike in the West, the federal government had to purchase land to create national forests.

Plant a memorial tree in a U.S. National Forest.

The Weeks Law of 1911, also know as the Forest Purchase Act and named after John Weeks , a Massachusetts Congressman, authorized the federal government to acquire land for national forests, specifically to protect watersheds of navigable streams. It paved the way for the establishment of national forests in the East by allowing the government to purchase land from private landowners. It has been one of the most successful pieces of conservation legislation in U.S. history. To date, nearly 20 million acres of forestland have been protected by the Weeks Act, land that provides habitat for hundreds of plants and animals, recreation space for millions of visitors, and economic opportunities for countless local communities. As one historian has noted, “No single law has been more important in the return of the forests to the eastern United States” than the Weeks Act.  The Weeks Act significantly expanded the national forest system, particularly east of the Mississippi River, where many new forests were established.  But there were far fewer opportunities for these acquisitions in the East. Eastern states generally had less public domain land compared to western states, which further limited the opportunity for creating national forests on land already owned by the government.

With the Weeks Act in place, and the subsequent founding of the United States Forest Service,  a framework was established for federal, state, and private cooperation in forest and forest fire management. Over time, much was learned about forest fire management including if the fires are not too severe, areas can regenerate on its own. In fact, in fire-adapted ecosystems, fire has historically played an integral role in shaping and maintaining the landscape. As a result, many native plants and animal species have developed unique strategies to withstand blazes. One Tree Planted in a recent blog, describes some of the ways that trees and nature have adapted  to fires in order to regenerate. Fire is a natural and necessary part of the life cycle of these forests and over thousands of years, many species of trees and ground vegetation have developed adaptations to fire where it occurs naturally. If a fire is too severe for natural regeneration, and of course in reforestation situations that don’t involve forest fires, tree planting management focuses on healthy establishment and long-term success.

Need to reforest after fires devastate a U.S. National Forest.

One important factor to keep in mind is that tree planting projects in the East have the same goals as those in the west that take place in National Forests. Even though your memorial or celebration tree might not be planted in a National Forest, it is planted in a State Forest or other public (and occasionally private) land, all with these same goals:

·        Speed recovery in areas where natural regeneration is not enough to restore past tree loss.

·        Planting species of trees indigenous to the area which can provide qualities such as fire resistance and and the ability to withstand the effects of climate change.

·        Planting in areas that help stabilize the soil and help prevent future landslides.

·        Help restore habitat for animals and insects that depend on these trees.

·        Help mitigate the effects of climate change by providing carbon sequestration.

·        Help restore the natural balance of forest ecosystems, including biodiversity.

·        Help prevent runoff which helps reduce water pollution and improve water quality.

Keep in mind while planting a tree in memory of a loved one, planting in a National Forest isn’t always possible. But, our planting projects still provide the same great results and benefits no matter where planted, in United States National Forests and beyond. If you need help planting a memorial or celebration tree, contact us through this link or call, 800-984-2101 and talk to a real person.

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Planting Trees and Sustainability

Individual planting a pine tree in the forest

As Earth Month winds down, and Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations are complete, a lot has been written about the benefits of tree plantings and sustainability. We get a lot of frequently asked questions at The Gifted Tree, and one I will try to answer in this blog: How does planting trees achieve sustainability goals?

Before I delve into the answer, let me summarize how trees and the planting of trees help benefit the environment in general.

Planting Trees can help sustainability

How Trees Benefit The Environment

Improve Air Quality and Carbon Sequestration

Trees reduce air pollution and help to purify the air by absorbing carbon and other pollutants. Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Trees absorb a lot of air pollutants which are released into the air by automobiles and industrial facilities. The more mature the tree, the more pollutants absorbed. By filtering pollutants, trees improve air quality and reduce respiratory problems in humans and animals.

Benefit Wildlife

Trees provide essential habitats for a wide range of wildlife, and other understory trees and plants, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Provide Economic Benefits

Trees can increase property values, improve the tax base, and enhance neighborhood appeal by making streetscapes more pleasant. Surveys show that consumers prefer to shop and live where there are an abundance of trees, and thus, trees can also have a positive impact on the price and desirability of homes. Property values for unimproved lots usually rise based on the amount and density of tree cover.

Reduce Energy Use and Costs

Trees can reduce heating and cooling costs and counteract the “heat island” effect in urban environments by providing shade and windbreaks. Urban areas with little vegetation can experience temperatures of up to seven degrees higher than those with tree coverings. Thus, properly planted trees can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce overall power demand.

Help Improve Water Quality

Trees help anchor soil and reduce storm water runoff. Their roots help bind soil thereby preventing erosion and landslides. Reducing runoff also decreases topsoil erosion and the amount of silt and other pollutants washed into streams, rivers, and lakes. Trees can intercept rainwater, reduce runoff, and improve water infiltration into the soil, which helps recharge groundwater supplies.

Mental Health Benefits

Forests and other areas rich with tree coverage provide recreational opportunities. Being out in nature improves people’s mood and general well being.

A chart showing the United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals

Icons – United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals

Sustainability Goals and How Planting Trees Help Reach Those Goals

In 2017, the United Nations established a  a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help businesses and governments build a more equitable and sustainable world. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a plan to create a better and more sustainable future for all.  They represent key benchmarks to addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change.  The planting of trees, and reforestation in general, help to get us closer to reaching each one of those 17 goals. This blog will touch on and explain the first five of the 17 goals. A future blog will explain the remaining 12 goals. For more detailed explanation of these goals, please visit the United Nations site.

1. No Poverty

Goal #1 recognizes that poverty is a multi-dimensional issue, with factors ranging from unemployment to social exclusion, vulnerability to natural disasters, susceptibility to disease, and more. Most of the world’s population that live in poverty depend almost entirely on productive land for their livelihoods. Reforestation can improve human lives by providing short and long-term employment, increasing the land’s ability to produce food and building materials over time, and protecting infrastructure from extreme weather events. Any efforts to reduce poverty need to include the planting of trees to  build up healthy, well-managed forests, watersheds, and soils.

2. Zero Hunger

While the number of undernourished people worldwide has dropped significantly in the past several decades, still a significant number of the world’s population go to bed hungry every night, and remain a huge barrier to advancing developing countries. Working with experts, the planting of trees can provide nutritious food for everyone, generate sustainable income, support rural development, and protect the environment. Investments in agriculture are crucial to increasing productivity and supporting the sustainable food systems necessary to alleviate hunger. Restoring degraded forests by planting trees in agricultural areas can address hunger by improving economic well-being and protect the livelihoods of farmers in developing nations. Additionally, when sustainable agroforestry is incorporated into larger tree planting projects, they can help to protect new plantings and native forests from over-harvesting and extraction that can occur when people are dependent on forest resources for survival.

3. Good Health and Well-Being

Good health is essential to sustainable development and advancement of mankind. Much progress has been made in this area, but it is uneven and there is a wide gap among countries. Planting trees can improve health in humans by providing sustainable, high quality supplies of food and water over time, modulating temperatures, absorbing rainwater during storm events, providing a buffer against powerful storm systems, and reducing the incidence and transmission of diseases. One overlooked benefit provided by trees is its medicinal benefits in many cultures as well as improving mental health by spending time amongst the trees and just being in the forest.

4. Quality Education

Receiving a quality education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development and advancement. Providing agroforestry education is one of the overlooked benefits in many of The Gifted Trees tree planting projects. In addition to planting trees in underserved areas of the world, there is an educational component, teaching communities techniques to create living fences and alley crops that will protect their lands and increase soil fertility and crop yields, reduce erosion, and improve water infiltration. In addition to providing jobs and restoring landscapes, many of our partners educate communities about sustainable agroforestry, land use practices, site monitoring, and micro-economics. We have seen that planting trees and maintaining them directly promotes education by increasing incomes and reducing the time spent securing basic necessities such as food and fuelwood. This gives parents more time and money to educate their children, and exposes them to opportunities they may not otherwise have had access to. Most of these individuals have no knowledge of proper land management techniques, but this training will be a significant factor in the fight against deforestation.

5. Gender Equity

This goal is related to the last goal. It is vital to understand that in many parts of the world, especially developing countries, the brunt of the family work falls on the women. Women take care of the children and cook all the meals. They don’t have access to stoves and ovens so they have to build fires to cook. These fires are fueled by collecting wood but with a shrinkage in sources, women can spend hours a day to travel by foot to collect this wood so that they are able to cook. Planting trees can increase gender equity and empower women by increasing their access to quality nutrition and other essentials of life. Planting trees to restore local landscapes can increase incomes by growing productive and sustainable agricultural crops.

We will explore more of the Sustainable Development Goals in future blogs, but in the meantime, you can be part of the solution by planting trees. The Gifted Tree works with non-profits around the world to plant memorial and celebration trees in order to achieve these goals. .

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Plant a Tree In U.S. National Forest – CO

Plant a Tree in A U.S. National Forest Colorado

As discussed in our last couple blogs detailing planting a memorial or celebration tree in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona and Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, planting a tree in a national forest in the United States or elsewhere around the world has become quite popular. Besides being a gift to a grieving family member or friend, or to celebrate a milestone event, these tree plantings are also a gift to the earth. The benefits range from helping reforest an area decimated by forest fire to aiding in improving the water quality of nearby rivers and lakes.  The Gifted Tree has planting projects in many United States National Forests, and this blog will focus on the project comprising many acres in and around Pike San Isabel National Forest, Colorado.

Pike San Isabel National Forest is a large forest in north central Colorado comprising well over a million acres including many of the state’s tallest mountains. When one thinks of Colorado, one thinks of lots of snow, but the environment in this area is actually quite dry, which makes it a prime location for forest fires. There have been several fires in this area over the past few years burning through Lodgepole pines and Spruce Fir forests. The intensity of these forest fires has made it difficult for these areas to naturally regenerate trees and other flora. By reforesting this area, our project that you help make possible, seeks to restore biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and mitigate the impact of future forest fires, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the landscape for both wildlife and communities alike.

A strand of beautiful Longleaf Pine Trees planted in a U.S. National Forest

Longleaf Pine Strand

While most of our planting projects around the world include several different tree species to be planted, this Colorado National Forest planting project only planted Lodgepole Pine trees. A number of tree experts determined collaboratively, in assessing the fire’s damage, that planting only Lodgepole pine trees was the best way to move forward to facilitate the ecosystem recovery of the area. The presence of other plant species in the understory (the vegetative layer and especially the trees and shrubs between the forest canopy and the ground cover) and adjacent habitats contributes to overall ecosystem diversity. Thus, focusing on only the Lodgepole pine for reforestation ensures the restoration of a vital component of Colorado’s forest ecosystems without excluding the presence of other species.

The Lodgepole Pine is a tree that is native to North America primarily in the Rocky Mountain region. This tree stands out with its paired needles, ranging from 1 to 3 inches in length, often twisted, giving it its distinctive appearance. In terms of bark, young lodgepole pines feature smooth, thin, grayish brown bark, while mature trees develop thick, deeply furrowed, and scaly bark with a reddish-brown hue. They are known for their towering heights, reaching between 50 to 100 feet tall, with a straight, slender trunk and a conical crown.

Distinctive needles and pine cone of a Longleaf Pine tree in a U.S. National Forest

Pine cone of a Lodgepole Pine,

Ecologically, Lodgepole pine trees serve a vital role in their native habitats. It offers various ecosystem services, such as:

Biodiversity Enhancement: By reintroducing Lodgepole pine saplings into areas affected by the fire, the reforestation project supports the recovery of vital habitat for a diverse array of fauna and flora species. Lodgepole pine forests are known to harbor numerous species, including birds, mammals, and insects, which rely on these habitats for shelter, nesting sites, and food resources. The re-establishment of these forests thus facilitates the return of biodiversity to the landscape, promoting ecosystem stability and resilience.

Carbon Sequestration: Lodgepole pine forests play a significant role in mitigating climate change through the process of carbon sequestration. Unfortunately, one of the costs of forest fires is that all the carbon stored in the old-growth trees is released and permanently lost when the trees burn. As the newly planted trees grow, they will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass and in the soil. By replanting Lodgepole pine seedlings, the reforestation project again allows the capacity of the landscape to sequester carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change.

Soil Stabilization and Erosion Control: The establishment of Lodgepole pine forests contributes to soil stabilization and erosion control, particularly in mountainous regions prone to slope instability and erosion. The deep root systems of Lodgepole pine trees help anchor the soil, reducing the risk of landslides and sediment runoff into waterways. Through the reforestation project, the restoration of Lodgepole pine forests enhances soil stability, safeguarding valuable ecosystems and downstream water quality

Fire Resilience and Adaptation: Lodgepole pine forests are well-adapted to fire prone ecosystems, and their presence contributes to the natural fire regime of the landscape. By replanting Lodgepole pine saplings, the reforestation project restores the fire-adapted ecology of the area, enhancing its resilience to future wildfires.

Bark of a Longleaf Pine tree in a U.S. National Forest

Monitoring the planting project is accomplished via drone and satellite imaging as well as site visits, all with the goal of long-term growth achieving a multitude of ecological benefits that are even greater than just the reforesting of the area burned by the fire. By enhancing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, stabilizing soils, promoting fire resilience, and supporting water resource management, the project contributes to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the landscape, safeguarding its ecological integrity for future generations. As one of the project managers stated: “This project’s impact will be critical in ensuring the future mitigation of severe wildfires, thereby safeguarding an array of ecological and social benefits for the community. It is an honor to participate in such vital restoration work, and we look forward to assessing the trees’ progress in the upcoming years.” Thanks to your foresight, these projects in United States National Forests are getting funded. And The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant  trees to celebrate an important milestone or to plant a memorial tree in memory of a loved one, in Colorado, or in 80+ locations around the world.

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Plant a Tree in U.S. National Forest – MN

 

Sunset over lake in Chippewa National Forest Minnesota

As discussed in our last blog detailing planting a memorial or celebration tree in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona, planting a tree in a national forest in the United States or elsewhere around the world has become quite popular. Besides being a gift to a grieving family member or friend, or to celebrate a milestone event, these tree plantings are also a gift to the earth. The benefits range from helping reforest an area decimated by forest fire to aiding in the water quality of nearby rivers and lakes.  The Gifted Tree has planting projects in many U.S. national forests, and this blog will focus on the project in Chippewa National Forest, a forest comprising almost 700,000 acres in north central Minnesota.

Entrance to Chippewa National Forest Minnesota sign

Plant a Tree in Chippewa National Forest – Objectives

Chippewa National Forest was established in 1902. It was named in honor of the Chippewa tribe of Native Americans from whose land the forest was created. Approximately 44% of the Forest’s land is within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Water is abundant in Chippewa National Forest, with over 1,300 lakes, 923 miles of rivers and streams and 400,000 acres of wetlands. The Forest has more lakes and wetlands than any other National Forest in the nation, boasting approximately 13% of all surface water within the entire National Forest system.

As a consequence of logging activity, forests in this part of the state have become less complex over time and resulted in a not so favorable mix of tree species resulting in less biodiversity and carbon storage than could be achieved with a better mix. Our project in Chippewa sought to restore the mix of trees in the forest and increase the range of climate-adapted trees species to improve the landscape around the headwaters of important watersheds, including the forest alongside lake shores and trout streams, and degraded forest along the north shore of Lake Superior. With so many lakes in the national forest and also the fact that it borders Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, our planting project has helped improve watersheds. In doing so, the new trees help improve water quality as they grow and foster the removal of sediment into these waterways.

The objective of our tree planting project in Chippewa National Forest was to restore vital tree species and introduce new tree species that will help the forest maintain and improve its resilience to threats brought about by climate change. Our planting project is helping provide a wide range of ecological benefits including improved water quality in streams and lakes, reduction of sediment in these water sources, improved habitat to improve biodiversity, helping soil stabilization needed in the face of increased heavy rainstorms, and improved carbon storage by changing forest composition to add species that live longer and grow larger. Not only will the reforestation improve the diversity of tree species in Chippewa National Forest, but also improve wildlife habitat conditions, improve soil and water quality, along with carbon storage.

Eleven native species were planted across the forest project including white spruce, white pine, red pine, red oak, jack pine, black spruce, tamarack, white cedar, bur oak, swamp white oak, and yellow birch. As mentioned previously, planting sites and species selection were made within a strategy of climate change solutions and improving biodiversity and habitat through improving tree species diversity.  Using technology such as drones and remote sensing devices, ideal planting locations were recognized and restored, helping vital wildlife habitat, improving resilience to global warming threats, and protecting and improving a range of services and benefits the forest provides.  It is comforting to know that these forest locations chosen within Chippewa National Forest will produce the highest and longest-term ecological benefits.

Chippewa National Forest Benefits

Thanks to you, your gift of planting trees in Chippewa National Forest has tremendously benefited Minnesota’s tree diversity and strengthened its forest against future issues. The planting of your trees in this deforested area helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through this reforestation, the tree canopy is restored, ecosystems are reinvigorated, and biodiversity can thrive. This project is an excellent example of proving the many ways in which forests benefit wildlife, local communities, and their landscapes, and the project’s impact is critical to enhancing the resilience of this forest ecosystem and safeguarding the benefits they provide now and in the future.

Biodiversity Benefits

With the forest cover that dominates the Minnesota landscape, Chippewa National Forest occupies an area close to the geographic center of the North America continent where three major biomes converge: the prairie, the boreal forest, and the deciduous forests of the east. Our planting projects will help improve the pristine wilderness and abundant biodiversity. Among the noteworthy animal species benefiting are moose, elk, Canadian lynx, burrowing owl and the spotted salamander. The forest is also home to a large gray wolf population, which will also benefit from the new tree plantings. Their living conditions will be enhanced with our tree plantings which will aid the processes that sustain life.

Community Benefits

The communities that are in and surround Chippewa National Forest will benefit from the reforestation project through multiple avenues including enhanced recreation availability, improved water quality, and carbon storage.  The reforested areas will be used for school field trips. A scenic highway along the shores of Lake Superior was also improved, as a result of the project, opening up a spectacular part of the lake to citizens of Minnesota and beyond. Furhermore, by shifting forest plantings to species that live longer and grow taller, the project not only helps safeguard recreational activities for the future, but augment carbon storage capacity that will benefit the surrounding communities long term.

Sunrise over beautiful lake in Chippewa National Forest Minnesota

Conclusion

None of these benefits would be possible without your generosity and foresight in planting a memorial or celebration tree in a U.S. National Forest. The Chippewa United States National Forest in Minnesota is now beginning its renaissance for generations to come thanks to you. As the project director for this project stated: “This project is an excellent example demonstrating the myriad ways in which forests benefit wildlife, local communities, and their landscapes. The forests restored through this project will bring about vital ecological services while serving as a natural oasis for years to come.” The nice thing is that The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant a tree to celebrate an important milestone or to plant a memorial tree in memory of a loved one, in Minnesota or in 80+ locations around the world.

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eCards That Plant a Tree

CelebrationDigital eCard Front - Forest Stream

When planting a memorial tree for a lost loved one or planting a tree to celebrate a momentous milestone occasion, most people like to send a physical card. The Gifted Tree has a number of beautiful, handcrafted options that are sure to create a Wow experience when received. The recipient will definitely know you care. But sending a physical card is not always possible or practical. One option that has become quite popular in the last few years is sending an eCard that plants a tree to honor a family member or friend who has passed or to celebrate a happy occasion. The Gifted Tree has upped its game and not only has an eCard option, but a premium digital eCard that is animated and quite unique. It too will elicit that Wow reaction that always makes you, the sender, feel quite good and satisfied.

I frequently answer phone call questions about when a customer should send an eCard versus a physical tribute, and while I usually think a card one can hold in one’s hand is best, sometimes it does not make sense. Remember, all eCards plant a tree, or multiple trees if you choose, so either way not only are you connecting with family and friends to express your feelings, but you are making a gift to the world and helping the environment as well.

 

Birthday Celebration Digital eCard - Balloons

Occasions to send an eCard

Ecards are flexible gifts because they can both mark a happy occasion or note a more somber tone. While I have taken orders for eCards that people want to send “just because”, the most popular occasions are birthday eCards along with holidays, in particular, Christmas eCards, Valentine’s Day eCards, and Mother’s Day eCards and Father’s Day eCards.  Customers are always looking for that unique gift and eCards that plant a tree fall into that category as their popularity is relatively new and therefore still elicit a powerfully positive reaction.

eCards are immediate

Sometimes you learn about a death and you want to let the family or friend know immediately that you are thinking of them and offer words of comfort. You don’t want the delay that mailing a card incurs. Other times you you are sitting at your desk, look at the calendar and realize you forgot that it is your best friend’s birthday or anniversary. No problem, with an eCard you can let them know promptly. Our eCards are delivered usually that day or the next day, at most, so you are getting it there when it can be most appreciated and impactful.

eCards can be scheduled

On the flip side, one nice feature about sending celebration or holiday related eCards are that you can schedule delivery on a specific date. With mailed tribute cards you can only approximate the delivery date, but The Gifted Tree’s eCard order page allows you to schedule the precise date when it will go out. Furthermore, you can schedule it far into the future, so if you think about it now but the birthday or holiday is not for months in the future, no problem, it will be sent and delivered on the exact date you note on the order form. Furthermore, eCards have their own tracking system so we know when they have been received and opened.

eCards are Green

eCards don’t use any paper so by sending one you are not harming the environment by cutting down a tree. Please note that most of our other physical tributes are made of handmade paper or are made from recycled materials so no harming of a tree takes place.

Click to View 12 Holiday Digital eCard Options

Sample Holiday Digital eCard Front

Other factors to consider when deciding whether to send an eCard or a physical card

  • Don’t know the person’s address

There are times when you don’t know the person’s home or work address where you want to send it. This happens a lot when it is a business colleague you are honoring. An email address is all that is needed for us to send the eCard. And don’t worry, we never share email addresses, so you don’t have to worry about getting on unwanted email lists. We don’t even know how to do that! And by some chance if you have the wrong email address, it will get bounced back as undeliverable. We will then reach out to you for an edit so that we can resend it.

  • A perfect choice when sending to an international destination

Mailing a physical tribute can take up to 4 months when mailing outside the United States, and sometimes longer during the holiday season . Quite frustrating to say the least. Furthermore, while I don’t like to admit it, some countries’ mail delivery service is not always reliable, and their addresses are a little funky. Since we do not send items with tracking, it is way too expensive, we can never be sure if a card has been delivered, and having a card returned for non-deliverability is not reliable. That is why I recommend sending an eCard when sending it to unusual international destinations. It is reliable and we know when it has been opened – a great peace of mind.

  • Economically feasible

Finally, eCards are budget friendly so you can honor someone and plant a tree for as little as $19.95.

The Gifted Tree’s eCards are beautiful, and the animation gives it that extra sparkle and magic that is sure to make someone’s day, no matter what the occasion. Next time you want to honor someone by planting a tree, consider The Gifted Tree’s premium animated eCards to deliver your message. Magical and Impactful.

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Why Plant Gift Tree With The Gifted Tree 2

Beautiful Forest Scene with flowers and sun

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.

Mountain Forest stream

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!

Mountain Forest Panorama

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Why Plant a Gift Tree with The Gifted Tree

Beautiful mountain forest vista at sunset.

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.

Reflecting mountain lake in autumn

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?

3D World Tree Map

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!

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Plant a Tree – Best Place & Type to Plant

Tree reforestation project with tree saplings

While it is extremely difficult to place an exact number of how many trees the earth loses per year, it is in the order of many millions to some say even a billion trees. No one debates the importance of trees and the need to keep planting them. The benefits of planting trees are well documented: climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, air quality improvement, soil conservation and water management, and aesthetic and recreation values.

In our business of planting memorial,  celebration, and pet loss trees in the United States and around the globe, The Gifted Tree gets asked quite often, where is the best place to plant a tree? There is no right answer to this question as, unfortunately, so many areas are in desperate need of new trees. That is why we offer over 80 locations worldwide for you to select for your tree planting. No part of the globe is spared from the need for more trees, although different areas need it for different reasons because tree loss has numerous culprits.

Tree planting reforestation landscape

Best Place To Plant a Tree

Forest fires receive a lot of media attention, making us aware of their devastation. This has been the case more recently as climate change has played havoc with the environment and created conditions conducive to these fires. Fires in the western part of the United States has created urgent needs for reforestation in California and other western states. Similarly, forest fires have ravaged parts of Canada, western Europe, and Australia. Fires in the Amazon rain forest have also received a lot of attention although many of those are started by humans as a result of the need to clear land for agricultural pursuits. This is also the case in Africa where clearcutting takes place to open land for animal grazing as well as to provide firewood just so families can cook meals and survive.

The Gifted Tree also has projects to replace trees due to clearcutting from mining operations, (Appalachian Forest) to reforesting from the effects of the world wars (Italy) and replacing areas that lost trees from disease (parts of Africa). Finally, The Gifted Tree is starting to plant in urban projects (New York, New Jersey, and Illinois) which provides benefits from trees for a variety of different reasons.

Urban forest projects are critical for replacing the tree canopy in these areas that have seen a large tree canopy decrease due to factors such as urban growth sprawl, disease, and climate change issues not to mention being trampled by community members. Furthermore, with the effects of warmer temps and more frequent and severe storms, these urban tree projects are more critical as the trees provide shade, lower ambient temperatures, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. These benefits are critical  in improving life for those living in these urban areas and whose lives disproportionally suffer from income inequality.

Our advice in determining which location to plant, is to pick a place that has meaning for the person you are honoring. Where did they live or where did they like to visit will make that location very meaningful and special. Another possible factor to consider is family heritage. For instance, does the family you are honoring have Irish heritage? If so, consider our planting project in Ireland. If that person is of Indian descent, consider planting the tree in India which will be very meaningful to the family. Other of our international planting locations can play a similar role.

Best Species of Tree To Plant

A related question we receive besides where is the best place to plant the tree is what type of tree should we plant? Please understand that you and we can’t dictate the type of tree species to be planted in a particular planting project. That is determined by our expert non-profit tree planting partners who will make their determination based on the location and what tree will be a best fit for long-term survivability. Factors that are considered include selecting species that are appropriate for the planting site, types that are indigenous to the area, as well as compatible with each other. Other factors considered are soil type, moisture levels, sunlight exposure, and potential interactions between species. One note of interest, and one that has changed since I first started planting trees, is the planting project use to be all one species of tree as the science thought that was best for the project. That thinking has changed.

Now when I go to plant trees in projects, I arrive at the site and there are groupings of 5-6 different species for us to plant. The scientific thought is that a forest is a community, and a diverse community seems to thrive better than a homogeneous community. Scientists are still studying this phenomenon and tweaking their approach, but by planting a range of species that are native and well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions, you increase the chances of overall project success. Some species may be better adapted to drought, while others thrive in wetter conditions. This diversity improves the project’s resilience to changing environmental conditions. And finally, maintaining genetic diversity within tree populations is essential for their long-term health and adaptability. Planting multiple species helps preserve genetic diversity and thus reduces the risk of inbreeding within populations which can have an adverse effect.

Oak tree saplings ready to be planted

In Conclusion

In conclusion, The Gifted Tree will plant the species of tree best suited for the area where you select to plant your memorial tree or celebration tree in honor of a loved one.. In determining where to plant, use the advice mentioned above realizing we are incorporating best practices to mitigate the risks and minimize the impact of wildfires, disease and climate change  on our cherished landscapes and communities. But if you are still struggling, my advice is don’t over think it. The world needs trees everywhere. Just remember the old Chinese proverb: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now. So just plant!

 

 

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