(ARA) - When you are rooting around for a great gift to give, why not try a tree? For a gift that truly keeps on giving and growing, plant a tree on behalf of a friend, relative or loved one. Planting a tree on someone's behalf is a thoughtful way to mark a joyous occasion while supporting a worthy cause -- the environment.

Many non-profit organizations offer the opportunity to support a noble cause by giving a donation in the name of another. Traditional wedding favors are being replaced with donations to the charity of the bride and groom's choice. The traditional showing of flowers at funerals is also being replaced by donations to charities chosen by family and friends.

If you are shopping for a truly unique gift, try looking past traditional ideas -- turn over a new leaf and purchase a tree. Jewish National Fund (JNF), an organization with a long-standing tradition of planting trees in Israel, will plant a tree in someone's honor for a small donation. To date, JNF has improved the land of Israel by planting over 210 million trees and provided luscious belts of green covering more than 200,000 acres.

A Gift for Life

From the moment the sapling is planted it begins establishing its roots in the soil. These saplings grow into mature trees that will improve and beautify the environment for generations to come. Trees defend against the greenhouse effect, prevent soil erosion and protect areas that feed into water sources. As veteran plots of land fill up, adjacent ones are opened, thus continuing the greening of the countryside with thousands of acres of new woodlands.

A Gift for Any Occasion

Gifts of this type are both thoughtful and versatile. They are appropriate for any number of occasions. A tree planted as a gift can serve as a holiday greeting for relatives or co-workers, or as a congratulatory wish upon a graduation or other special achievement. Planting a tree can represent a wish for luck at a birth or celebrate the enduring roots of a relationship on an anniversary or wedding.

Personalizing Your Gift

Choose from a variety of decorative tree planting certificates including "Trees for Israel," "Green Belt Around Jerusalem," "Children's Forest in Israel," the "Unity of Israel," "Jerusalem 3000," the "Holyland" and the "AIDS Memorial Forest."

With each purchase of a tree, JNF sends one of these customized decorative certificates of your choice to the person receiving the gift. Inscribed on the certificate is the recipient's name and your personal message.

A Gift for Any Budget

No matter what your gift-giving budget, JNF offers an alternative for you. Individual trees, including a beautiful certificate, are just $18.00 and a ring of trees (5) is $90.00. If you really want to go out on a limb for that special someone, JNF offers a circle of trees (10) for $180.00 and a garden of trees (100) for $1800.00.

Trees can be purchased by calling JNF's toll free number, 800-542-TREE (8733) or visit JNF's On-line Tree Planting Center at www.jnf.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: alexbeginin@gmail.com