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7 Reasons We Are Different (and Better)

Forest scene with cloud shrouded mountains in the background

 

A memorial gift tree is a powerful remembrance gift. A celebration gift tree is a memorable way to acknowledge a milestone event. Not only do these plantings honor a person or pet, but it also gives the earth a gift too by helping reforest areas ravaged by forest fires, deforestation and climate change. The Gifted Tree understands that you, the customer, have a number of company options that can plant your gift tree and announce the donation to the recipient or to the honoree’s family. We have occasionally been asked the question, “Why should we use The Gifted Tree for our memorial or celebration tree plantings?” We gave the question a great deal of thought and came up with seven reasons why The Gifted Tree is different and makes us the best option for planting your gift tree and sending a tribute card or animated eCard.

Reason 1. The Gifted Tree can plant your gift tree in multiple locations worldwide.

While our competitors give you options of planting locations only in United States forests, The Gifted Tree can plant your gift tree in 30+ countries on six continents around the globe. The entire planet needs trees, not just the United States. We have all read about forest fires ravaging Australia, Spain and Portugal. Also, the clearcutting of forests in the Amazon to expand agricultural land availability has been well documented. And the cutting down of trees in Asia and Africa so that families have firewood to cook their next meal is an ever-present actuality.Girl holding a potted tree sapling in Peru Each of our planting projects around the world has its own goal, explained on the website. While we certainly plant a lot of trees in the U.S., and love to do so, the person you are honoring might have a connection to an international country and makes your commemorative gift even more special. That is why we offer you global options. (By the way, the country where your gift tree is planted is noted on the tribute certificate!)

Reason 2. The Gifted Tree sends unique, creative, and memorable certificates.

Most of our competitors send a generic card or a pdf that you can print out at home on your computer, both likely to quickly end up in the trash can. The Gifted Tree sends tributes that will stand out and ensure you connect on a personal level with someone important to you, as well as likely to be kept long-term and even displayed in the home.  Our tributes are hand-crafted with a personal touch to make sure you stand out. Tributes come in different price points (all very affordable) and no matter which one you choose, they are suitable for display on a desk, bookshelf, or mantelpiece. As a bonus, each tribute Lucite acrylic Frame Tree planting Certificate Lifestyleincludes a handmade seed paper heart that can be planted (instructions are printed on the back) to grow a small patch of wildflowers. A complete thoughtful and memorable package.

Reason 3. The Gifted Tree helps you find the right words to write on the tribute certificate.

Ever struggle to find just the right words, be it a sad or happy occasion? We all do from time to time. We can take a little weight off your shoulders by offering a range of heartfelt message options for you to include on your gift tree certificate. Just click on the one that feels right for you and that is what we will print on your certificate. Or if inspiration does strike, you can write your own. Either way, your voice and sentiments shine through showing your support, providing comfort, and making a lasting impact in a unique and different way.

Reason 4. Quick Turn Around

The Gifted Tree realizes that getting the tribute to the recipient in a timely fashion is vital. You want them to know that you are thinking of them. That is why we produce and get your tribute in the mail quickly. Usually your order is completed within one business day, and many times the same day we receive your order. Of course, for a speedier delivery, our premium animated digital eCards do the trick awesomely and quickly.

Reason 5. The Gifted Tree offers virtual tours of the planting project areas.

Bing Earth Maps - Virtual Visit ColoradoNot only does The Gifted Tree plant your gift tree to help restore fire-damaged or climate change affected forests, or replant trees in impoverished communities, we provide more. Each of our tributes contains an insert explaining how the recipient can learn more about the planting project where their gift tree is planted (which is indicated on the tribute certificate). Additionally, there is a link to Bing earth maps allowing those with a computer or smart phone the opportunity to virtually view the general area of their tree planting. We want you to know how your trees is making a lasting difference in the world.

Reason 6. Superb customer service

When we started planting gift trees in 2013, one thing that struck me was that many of our competitors did not have a listed phone number contact or chat feature. The Gifted Tree offers both. If you would like to speak to a human, our toll-free number (800-984-2101) is listed at the top of every one of our website pages. We are available to personally answer questions so that you are comfortable with what you are ordering. If a phone call is not your thing, The Gifted Tree has a chat function available during business hours, and of course the ability to send us an email, which we will answer promptly. Our customer comments focus on our superb customer service and further highlight why we are the “Company With a Personal Touch.”

Reason 7. The Gifted Tree is a trusted and accredited organization.

Better Business Bureau Logo showing The Gifted Tree is an Accredited Business

We are a member of the Better Business Bureau and meet their rigorous standards to be a trusted organization. We realize in this day and age it is important to know that we are doing what we claim to be doing. We only want you to expect the best and feel comfortable in ordering from us. I am not aware of any of our competitors being able to boast of the same.

There you have it, the seven reasons why The Gifted tree is different and better than our competitors. We ask you to put us to the test! I know you will be impressed.

P.S. Of course while putting this list together, we came up with a few bonus reasons:

  • Optional card enclosure available when you want to add a personal message that might not be right to have on the certificate.
  • Our Trees for a Cause Grove allows you to not only plant a tree but have part of the proceeds of your order benefit a specific charity.
  • Finally, our certificates are hand-created by a human, not a computer. A second set of eyes, so to speak. Therefore, on the chance that there is a spelling or grammatical error on your order, we can correct it before sending (or contact you to verify.) And, we arrange the certificate in the best looking way because we know this gift represents you!

Get Started With The Gifted Tree

If you’re ready to get started with selecting your next gift tree for that special occasion or as a way to remember a loved one, look no further than The Gifted Tree. Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page to learn more or contact us today to get help.

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What is a Gift Tree?

Lush field of newly planted tree saplings

 

The Gifted Tree has been planting tens of thousands of gift trees since 2013 making it is easy to forget that not everyone understands exactly what a gift tree is. The fact is we get a number of customers contacting us to ask exactly that question: What is a gift tree?  We figured that if several of you are calling or chatting asking about it every week, there probably are many more out there with that same question. Thus, this blog will answer that question along with related questions that have been asked over the years.

In a nutshell, a gift tree is a sapling tree that will be planted in the forest location of your choosing. While a gift tree is a meaningful way to honor or celebrate people and pets, a physical tree is not delivered. Instead, one chooses one of The Gifted Tree’s unique card tributes or animated eCards to send, that is personalized with your custom message announcing the planting and notifying the recipient of your gift. A gift tree is a way to create a lasting, living legacy while at the same time helping combat the effects of forest fires and climate change. The ultimate “green” gift, giving the world a gift, too.

Sapling versus seedlingPlanting a Tree sapling in Rich Soil

Many of us use those terms interchangeably and in reality, there is not much difference. I like to say a sapling is a slightly more mature seedling, just like an toddler is to a newborn baby. Technically, a seedling is the young plant arising newly from the seed. It is the first stage of the growth cycle of a tree. Hence, the seedling is very tender and succulent. It has very small leaves attached and is very vulnerable to animals such as deer. A sapling, on the other hand, is a young tree that is less than one year old. It is the stage following the seedling stage. Saplings have little trunks of 1 to 6 inches in diameter and have more adult looking leaves. Similar to a seedling, a sapling is also a juvenile life stage of a tree. A sapling can originate from a seed, or through a vegetative part such as cutting. Growing tree saplings in a nursery

As was gone into in-depth in a previous blog, https://www.thegiftedtree.com/reforestation-how-to-reforest-after-a-forest-fire/, your gift tree planted by The Gifted Tree starts out as a seed, but is planted as a sapling. These seeds were collected from the area where these seeds turned saplings will eventually be planted, usually a year or so later after having been nurtured in a nursery through the seedling to sapling stage. The reason for this is the sapling grown from the seeds have an extremely high survival rate because they are genetically ready for the climate, altitude and soil conditions of the area.

Living tree Sapling among forest fire destroyed treesIn summary, seedlings and saplings are two juvenile growth stages of a plant that will ultimately become a mature tree. Your gift tree from The Gifted Tree is a sapling because quite simply, it is best suited for long-term survivability and able to endure for generations to come.

 

 

Most popular gift tree reason

The most popular gift tree reason is planting a memorial tree in memory of a loved one or for someone close to you that has lost a loved one. A memorial tree not only can honor a person, but is a meaningful way to memorialize a loyal and faithful pet. A memorial tree is an epic tribute to a life well lived, and not only aids in the reforestation of areas ravaged by forest fire, disease or climate change, it also helps provide comfort to an individual or family at a time of grieving.

And also remember, planting a gift tree is an ideal way to celebrate life events, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, teachers, employee recognition, new births, graduations and holidays. A gift tree fits every occasion – helping you connect on a personal level with someone important to you and acknowledge these important milestones.

 

More Gift Tree FAQs specific to The Gifted Tree

Where is the gif tree planted?

The gift tree is planted in the forest location of your choosing. Unlike other gift tree businesses, The Gifted Tree plants trees around the world, not just in the United States. While there are numerous national and state forest locations to choose from in the U.S., you also can choose from 30+ other planting locations worldwide. No matter the planting location you finally select, the tree is planted by one of our trusted non-profit planting partners and will help combat the effects of forest fires, disease and climate change. There is also an educational component to the gift tree plantings, especially those planted in developing nations. Not only are we planting trees in these regions, but farmers are also being trained in best tree planting methods, nursery preparation, farm conservation and finance, and irrigation management. young smiling children planting trees in MexicoMost of these individuals have no prior knowledge of proper land management techniques, but this training will be a significant factor in the fight against deforestation. They also learn methods and techniques to protect trees to withstand local climatic conditions and thus help to ensure the newly planted trees’ long-term survival.

Are gift trees marked with plaques?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. Your tree is planted among thousands of other gift trees and there is no plaque designating your gift tree, but an official register is maintained in our office. Take comfort in the knowledge that while your gift tree is not designated on the ground with a plaque, it does become part of the much larger forest ecosystem.

Can I specify the species of gift tree to be planted?

While the types of trees planted at a particular project are listed in the planting location details on our website, you are not able to designate the type of tree to plant. We leave it up to the professionals on site to determine the best tree to plant to achieve the project’s goals. Silviculturists (scientists who study how to grow trees) decide on the type of tree that will grow best in an area, and the best time of year to plant. The objectives of the silvicultural prescriptions for planting sites include the reintroduction of tree species that were originally in that particular ecosystem in order to improve the resilience and resistance of the forest to fire, insects, diseases, and the potential effects of climate change.

Can I visit the gift tree I have planted?

Unfortunately, since the trees are not marked and can be in very remote locations, some dangerous to get to, it is not possible to visit your tree. It is possible, however, to visit the general tree planting location virtually on your computer. Information is included in the gift packet along with the certificate with all the details.

When will the gift tree be planted?

The gift tree will be planted at the best suitable planting time for each project, which is typically in the location’s spring or fall. Therefore, depending on when your gift tree was purchased, there could be a gap of time until it is actually planted. This is being done to ensure the long-term survival of the trees as well as to accomplish the goals of the project.

Now that you understand what a gift tree is, whether the gift tree is planted in memory of a lost loved one, or to celebrate a happy life event, know that a lot of scientific thought went into the planting, ensuring that your gift tree will have a lasting impact and be a gift to the earth as well.

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