Sorry-- deleted Guest post, above, was me. Not sure why I lost my biscuit.
here it is (reposted by Joe Offer)
I applaud the idea of friend-to-friend tree planting, tempered by thoughtful selection and siting. Whenever I'm in a group that's trying to decide how to honour someone or celebrate a birthday or anniversary, I usually suggest the gift of a tree or a gift certificate to a plant nursery. People are often surprised by the suggestion, but I've yet to see a recipient that didn't relish such a gift!

We live on 45 acres in the state of Maine. Over 30 acres are forested and we tend that woodland carefully to maintain biodiversity, remove invasive plant species, and reduce fire danger while preserving a decent balance of upright "snags" and wind-felled branches to maintain the health of soil, flora and fauna.

Our land was farmed by previous generations-- farmed extensively, but not sustainably. Hillsides eroded and good land was depleted or otherwise lost. We plant trees each year--judiciously, with carefully-chosen varieties--to stabilize slopes, restore biodiversity and habitat, and provide future food and lumber for our own use. We also inoculate our tree-planting sites with beneficial fungi and other soil micro-organisms to help the plants thrive. It's challenging, but really a great deal of fun, to peruse our local nursery catalogs and choose each year's tree varieties.

Last year we planted an American Linden to attract and provide food for honeybees. We planted several elders, a few heirloom plums and cold-hardy heirloom apple varieties as well. It is wonderful to look out at those small saplings and imagine them a decade or two from now, well-branched out, well-rooted, and productive, full partners in our efforts to restore the health of the land.