Use discount code ED2024 for 20% off, when you plant multiple trees for someone.

FAQ’s

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FAQ’s

Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the tree planting process, our tree planting gifts, or shipping and delivery. If you don't see your question below, please contact us.

  • General Questions

  • What is A Living Tribute?

    A Living Tribute offers a meaningful alternative to traditional sympathy cards or flowers by allowing people to give the gift of reforestation. Each tree becomes part of a larger story—a legacy that keeps growing.

  • Do you have any certifications?

    Yes! We are both Green Business Bureau Certified and Green America Certified. The Green Business Bureau is becoming the standard for green business certification and accountability. Green America certifies businesses that are:

    • Actively using their company or organization as a tool for positive social change;
    • Operating a "values-driven" enterprise according to principles of social justice AND environmental sustainability;
    • Environmentally responsible in the way they source, manufacture, and market their products and run their operations and facilities;
    • Socially equitable and committed to extraordinary practices that benefit workers, customers, communities, and the environment; and
    • Accountable for their work by continually improving and tracking their progress, and operating with transparency in every facet of their business.

    All companies with Green America's Green Business Certification must meet Green America's standards for all businesses, and also meet or exceed all required standards in their industry.

  • Who plants the trees for Forest Friends/forests of greatest need?

    A Living Tribute is a proud Major Partner of American Forests, the nation’s oldest conservation organization, and a Tree Planting Partner of the National Forest Foundation since 2014.

  • What is your card quality?

    Our commemorative plant-a-tree cards are crafted from high-quality, acid-free, sustainably sourced cardstock, ensuring your keepsake tribute cards remain vibrant and free from yellowing over time. The paper we use is Green-e Certified and sourced from FSC-Certified forests, reflecting our commitment to sustainability. Just as you honor your friends, colleagues, and loved ones with thoughtfulness, we honor the planet with the same care.

  • Where are you planting trees?

    We primarily plant trees in U.S. National Forests that require restoration. Additionally, we can plant your living tribute in communities and state forests affected by natural disasters, as well as in select wildlife and nature preserves or even in Canada. Partnering with over 20 forestry and conservation nonprofits across North America, we proudly offer the widest selection of tree planting locations and options of any memorial tree organization.

  • Where will my tree be planted?

    Your tree will be planted in a National Forest in need of reforestation. Our tree planting partners are actively restoring forests in regions such as the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the Northern Rockies and Cascades, the Sierra Nevada and Southern California ranges, as well as the Ozarks and Appalachians.

  • What size trees will be planted?

    We sponsor the planting of young seedlings, typically 6-14 inches tall, offering a cost-effective approach to large-scale reforestation.

  • When will my tree be planted?

    Trees will be planted at the optimal time for each forest, typically during the spring and/or fall months. Many of our local and state-level tree planting partners host their largest planting events on Earth Day each year. If a tree planting contribution is made after the planting season has concluded, the seedlings will generally be planted in the following planting season.

  • Who physically plants the tree seedlings?

    In most cases, your trees are planted by contracted professional tree planters under the supervision of the Forest Service, and/or our non-profit tree planting partners. For certain state and community-level projects we sponsor, volunteers and members of the public may also assist in the planting efforts.

  • Why plant a tree for someone as a gift?

    Your tree gift will play a vital role in restoring cherished National Forests and preserving our environment for future generations. Currently, over 1 million acres of National Forest land require replanting. Your contribution will help reforest areas damaged by wildfires, pests, disease, deforestation, natural disasters, and more. For just a few dollars more than a traditional greeting card, you can send a sustainably sourced, FSC-Certified card that plants a new tree in someone’s honor. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/

  • Are the tree plantings marked?

    No, your tribute trees will be planted in a natural setting within the forest, without any signs, plaques or markers. Tree seedlings planted with our donations are not marked on the ground as a memorial, they become part of the forest ecosystem. While there is no plaque marking the tree, there is a growing forest—an ecosystem that provides habitat for wildlife to thrive and reproduce. It’s a grove of trees that will purify the air, filter water for local watersheds, and offer a beautiful vista for visitors to enjoy.

  • Are the trees planted by hand or machine planted?

    Most trees are planted by hand; however, some projects we sponsor in Florida and Canada utilize some machine planting. Machine planting involves using a mechanical planter, which can be a faster and more efficient method for planting trees at the stand level on open terrain than hand planting.

  • Can I visit my tree or grove after it has been planted?

    We plant our trees through large-scale reforestation projects supported by many sponsors and contributors. Due to the time and resources that would be required, the exact location of individual tree plantings are not tracked by our planting partners.

    Update: We have started sponsoring smaller-scale reforestation projects at the state forest and community levels. Beginning in 2018, GPS coordinates and/or Google Earth maps will be available for customers who plant their memorial trees in select locations: https://www.facebook.com/alivingtribute/posts/715874288618503

  • Will my trees receive any care after they are planted?

    Yes, typically, a newly planted forest is surveyed, maintained (including watering and mulching as needed), and protected for 3-5 years after planting.

  • Can I plant a memorial tree in a location of my choosing?

    Unfortunately, we cannot plant a tree just anywhere. All of our trees are planted through ongoing reforestation projects, so the planting locations are determined by our tree planting partners.

  • Is my tree planting gift tax deductible?

    No, it is considered a memorial gift purchase (no "goods or services" can be provided for 501(c)(3) or tax exempt status).

  • Do you offer e-certificates in lieu of a physical card?

    Yes, we now offer custom e-certificates for purchase through our online store, allowing you to plant trees for friends and family without needing a mailing address. This option is ideal for customers who require expedited delivery or wish to plant trees as gifts for large groups. Since the e-certificates are personalized, the turnaround time for email delivery is typically 24 hours or 1 business day.

    https://shop.alivingtribute.org/products/plant-a-tree-ecertificate

  • Do you retain proof or record of my tree planting?

    Yes, our tree planting partners and/or the forest service provide us with receipts and documentation (either digital or hard copy) for all of our reforestation donations. We also maintain our own digital tree registry, should you need to look up a tribute or replace your card in the distant future.

  • Where will my commemorative card(s) be mailed from?

    Our tribute cards are printed and mailed from printing facilities in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tampa, Florida, Phoenix, Arizona, and British Columbia, Canada.

  • How can I find more information about my tree planting?

    Please send an email to info@alivingtribute.org with the tribute number that is printed on your tribute card.

  • Does A Living Tribute offset the carbon emissions from its order deliveries?

    Yes, we do! We are currently participating in the Planet program to offset emissions we can't fully avoid, such as the mailing of commemorative cards. Our carbon offset contributions are helping fund reforestation projects like Mast Reforestation: https://www.mastreforest.com/

    Here's how it works: For every order we receive, a formula is used to calculate the estimated shipping emissions. Based on those estimates, a portion of our revenue goes to carbon removal companies that have been vetted by scientists from Carbon Direct. Those companies use that money to remove however much carbon our shipments created. Any extra funds go toward the further development of carbon removal technologies.

  • If my tree is planted through a "community" reforestation project, how does that work?

    The need for reforestation extends beyond our public woodlands. When natural disasters like windstorms, wildfires, and flash floods occur, community and state-level tree planting organizations step in to help. These efforts include planting trees on public land, as well as distributing seedlings and offering planting services to private landowners.

  • Orders & Shipping

  • When will my card be delivered?

    Please allow up to 7 days for card delivery. Orders are processed within 1-2 business days and shipped via USPS First Class Mail. For an additional $3.50, your tribute card can be mailed in a tracked mailer with USPS Ground Advantage tracking and delivery confirmation. Expedited FedEx Ground/Home Delivery shipping is also available.

  • I made an error or omission when placing my order, is it too late to fix this?

    Not at all! Please send an email to info@alivingtribute.org with your corrections or edits/additions. All orders are reviewed by a human card designer, so if we notice any missing information, we will reach out to you. If your card has already been mailed out, we will send a corrected copy free of charge.

  • Do you verify the mailing address for my card prior to shipment?

    While we use automated address verification when processing your orders, please ensure that the mailing address for your card is correct and complete. Unfortunately, this technology may not catch all street number/name errors or missing unit numbers.

  • My card was not received, can you send a new copy?

    If your card is lost in transit by the USPS, accidentally discarded, or not delivered within 7 days for any reason, please contact customer service, and we will send out a new card with tracking immediately. If your card is returned to us as undeliverable, we will reach out to you to make an address correction or arrange an alternative solution.

  • I received a memorial tree card in the mail making reference to "a living tribute", was this from your organization?

    A Living Tribute® is our organization's registered trademark (USPTO 97246486), used to represent our mission of planting trees to honor or remember someone special. While the phrase is commonly associated with tree dedications, our cards will always include our website and logo to distinguish our organization. This ensures that each tribute is recognized as part of our trusted service and dedication to preserving the memory of your loved ones through meaningful environmental contributions.

  • Bulk/Custom Orders & Partners

  • Do you accept custom orders?

    Yes we do! Starting in January of 2025, our custom shop will be available Monday-Thursday to help you with custom orders such as:

    • Company gifts and recognition
    • Ordering non-personalized plant-a-tree cards in bulk
    • Ordering plant-a-tree cards in bulk for special events
    • Adding a company logo or your own photograph to the cards
    • Sending plant-a-tree holiday cards to multiple addresses

    Please email us at magic@alivingtribute.org to get started on your order.

  • Who do I contact to place bulk/custom orders, or if I have questions about becoming a business customer?

    Please send an email to sales@alivingtribute.org and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.

  • What are the advantages of being a business customer?

    You can design a custom plant-a-tree card for your company or business, and order the cards in lots of 10 or more. Instead of having to place multiple orders through our online store, you can email us a single order form and be digitally invoiced for payment.

  • I represent a 501(c)(3) conservation organization, how can we become a tree planting partner?

    Please send an email to bp@alivingtribute.org with your contact information and as many details as possible about your upcoming tree planting initiatives. Please note, we are currently only working with organizations and programs that are planting native bare root seedlings in the U.S. and Canada. We love partners that share purpose-impact reports and pictures from plantation sites!

  • Do you work directly with foresters/vegetation managers?

    Yes we do. While our preference is to plant our trees through established reforestation donation programs, we can also set up a custom partnership with your forest or park (or your forest's conservancy).

  • Do you offer corporate carbon offsetting programs?

    No, however we'd be happy to refer you to some of our non-profit tree planting partners that offer these programs at scale.

  • Website & Privacy

  • How secure is your website? Will my information be encrypted?

    Yes, A Living Tribute is certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. Our checkout includes an SSL certificate that uses industry standard 256-bit encryption technology. This is the same level of encryption used by large banks to keep your information secure. We are well known to comply with the highest level of PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards. For additional information on PCI Compliance, visit the PCI Compliance Guide website.

  • Will anyone at your organization have access to my credit card information?

    No. We use secure payment gateways to process all of your orders.

  • How often is your website updated?

    We update our list of partners and tree planting locations approximately twice a year, typically in the summer and winter. Tree planting locations are subject to availability and may change. If a selected location is unavailable during donation or coordination with our conservation partners, orders will be redirected to the nearest available planting location. We appreciate your understanding and your continued support in our shared commitment to conservation. The best way to stay informed about new tree planting gifts and available planting locations is to follow us on social media.