Gifting Trees: How to Give a Tree as a Gift

Gifting trees can mean three very different things: sending a living tree for someone to grow, funding a tree in their name, or giving a physical Tree Kit that connects both. The right choice depends on the person, the occasion and whether you need something delivered immediately.

The gift works because it carries a message beyond the day it arrives. It can mark a birthday, remember someone, thank a client or recognise a team. The tree gives that message somewhere to keep growing.

If you need to send one now, you can generate your message free, then choose whether to send it as a Gift Story with a tree planted in Tanzania.

What does gifting trees mean?

Gifting trees means giving someone a tree-related gift in their name. That may involve a young tree delivered to their home, a tree funded through a planting organisation, seeds they can grow, or a digital story that records the gift and planting programme.

Do not assume every provider uses the phrase in the same way. Before you buy, look for plain answers to four questions:

• What does the recipient receive?
• Is a tree planted, and by whom?
• Where does the planting happen?
• How can the recipient or sender follow the programme?

With ForestNation, the recipient can receive a Gift Story or Tree Kit. The associated tree planting takes place in Tanzania. The sender and recipient can follow the programme through their Forest Profile.

How can you give a tree as a gift?

Send a digital Gift Story

A Gift Story is useful when you need immediate delivery or do not have the recipient’s postal address. You write a message, add photos, video or audio if you want, and send it digitally. A tree is planted in Tanzania as part of the gift.

This format works for international recipients, last-minute occasions, remote employees and memorial messages. You can send a Gift Story without adding another object to someone’s home.

Give a physical Tree Kit

A Tree Kit is a physical gift with seeds the recipient can grow. A matching tree is funded in Tanzania. The at-home seed and the planted tree are separate parts of the same story, so explain both clearly.

Tree Kits suit occasions where opening and growing something is part of the experience. Businesses can also use branded Tree Kits for campaigns or events. For that use, see branded Tree Kits.

Create a business gifting campaign

A business can send trees to clients, employees or partners as a one-off campaign. The practical advantages are global digital delivery, personalised messages and one place to record the planting programme. For mixed business audiences, see corporate Tree Gifts. For employee recognition specifically, see employee appreciation gifts.

What should you write with a tree gift?

Start with the person, not the environmental claim. Say why you chose the gift for them. Then explain the planting in one plain sentence.

• Birthday: “A tree is being planted in your name to celebrate another year of you. May both be full of growth.”
• Thank you: “Thank you for everything you brought to this project. We have planted a tree in your name in Tanzania.”
• Memorial: “In memory of Sam, a tree will grow in Tanzania. We are thinking of you and everyone who loved him.”
• Client gift: “Thank you for trusting us this year. We have planted a tree in your name and look forward to what we grow together next.”

For more examples, see these tree planting gift messages. A sentence that only you could have written will do more than a long paragraph of general language.

When is gifting a tree appropriate?

Tree gifts can suit joyful, professional and reflective occasions. The tone and format should change with the relationship.

• Birthdays and anniversaries: focus on growth, time and a shared memory.
• Weddings and new homes: mark the beginning of something that will develop over time.
• Farewells and retirement: recognise what the person contributed and give them something that continues after they leave.
• Memorials: keep the message gentle and centred on the person being remembered.
• Client and employee appreciation: explain why the person is being thanked. Avoid turning the message into an advertisement.

How is a tree gift different from a tree donation?

A donation primarily supports the planting organisation or project. A gift adds a named recipient, an occasion and a personal message. The planting may be similar, but the job the sender is trying to do is different.

If your goal is to recognise one person, choose a gift format with a clear recipient experience. If your goal is to fund a wider business programme, the better route may be to build your corporate forest around orders, events or another repeated company activity.

What should you check before choosing a tree gift provider?

• Planting location: the country and programme should be named.
• Delivery: confirm whether the recipient gets an email, certificate, profile, physical tree or seeds.
• Timing: separate the gift delivery date from the planting timetable.
• Evidence: look for a clear methodology behind any projected environmental figures.
• Follow-up: check what updates the recipient can expect and whether a login is required.
• Claims: be cautious with broad phrases such as “fully offset”, “planet positive” or other broad environmental labels unless the exact claim is properly substantiated.

ForestNation publishes how its projected figures are calculated. You can read the ForestNation impact methodology, including the role of its Working Trees field study across five planting sites in Tanzania.

Are gifting trees sustainable?

“Sustainable” is too broad to answer with one label. A more useful answer looks at the seed source, species, planting location, local stewardship, survival monitoring, delivery materials and evidence behind any impact figure. Ask the provider for those details and describe the contribution you can support.

ForestNation describes Tree Gifts as gifts connected to tree planting in Tanzania. It does not claim that the gift fully compensates for the emissions of a recipient, event or company.

Frequently asked questions

Can I plant a tree in someone’s name?

Yes. A tree gift service can record the recipient’s name and your message while funding planting through its programme. Check what proof or profile is provided and where the planting happens.

Can I send a tree gift without an address?

Yes. A digital Gift Story can be delivered by email, which makes it useful for international and last-minute gifts.

What is a memorial tree gift?

It is a tree-related gift made in memory of someone who has died. The recipient normally receives a message explaining that a tree has been planted or funded in that person’s memory.

Can a company gift trees to a whole team?

Yes. Digital Gift Stories can be personalised and sent across locations, while Tree Kits create a physical experience. Choose the employee, client or promotional route that matches the audience.