I was at the Arizona Diamondbacks 2008 home opener last night and they scored 9 runs and beat the Dodgers 9-3.  Probably doesn’t mean much to most of you but what is significant is that it means that 90 trees will be planted as part of a program this year between the Diamondbacks and The Salt River Project - 10 trees planted for every run scored.  The Dbacks are on on pace to score 800 runs, which means 8,000 trees planted this year.  

This reminded me of the birthday present I received this year from my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.  They gave me a certificate from the Arbor Day Foundations that shows that 25 Lodgepole Pines and Douglas Fir trees were planted in my name in the Gallatin National Forest.  Much better than a tie! 

You can check out the Arbor Day Trees for gifts program at http://www.arborday.org/shopping/tictim/TICSample.cfm

Many local organizations have similar programs so if you want to keep the trees close to home, check out what’s available in your area and give a gift that will give for hundreds of years.  Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up, everyone knows someone who’s birthday is around the corner and if you are struggling with what to get them, plant a tree in their name in a local park, in a national forest or in your yard. 

Here are some additional links to tree planting efforts in the Phoenix area:

 SRP – Trees for Change:  donate $3.00 and help areas destroyed by forest fires with newly planted trees http://www.srpnet.com/environment/trees/default.aspx

Glendale Parks and Recreation – Dedicate a Tree program allows you to dedicate a tree to someone special http://www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation/DedicateaTree.cfm