Creative gift giving takes root - Tip-Off

Holiday gifts can too easily evoke the old it's-the-thought-that-counts adage. (Fruitcake, anyone?) American Forests, one of the nation's oldest nonprofit conservation organizations, offers an alternative designed to please recipients, givers and the earth--tree seedlings that are the direct offspring of historical trees.

Founded in 1875, American Forests has long recognized trees as living witnesses to the events and lives that shaped our nation. The organization seeks to involve the public in planting historic trees just as we recognize and preserve historic buildings. Would your community rally around the purchase of a George Washington Tulip Poplar, planted by our first president in 1785 and noted in his journal? What about the last living Johnny Appleseed apple tree, discovered on a historic farm that the famous tree-planter frequented during the early 19th century? How about the Moon Sycamore, grown from seeds carried to the Moon on Apollo XIV in 1971? You could even line the entrance to your community center with Elvis Presley Pin Oaks, which line the driveway leading to Elvis' Graceland home in Memphis.

Since 1989, direct offspring historic trees have been grown at the Historic Tree Nursery facilities in Jacksonville, Fla. They are available to schools, organizations and individuals, and each purchase aids efforts to reforest ecosystems and habitats.

For more information on planting offspring historic trees in your community, go to www.americanforests.org or www.historictrees.org.