Join the Arbor Day Foundation, a national organization dedicated to inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees by January 31st and take a charitable deduction on your 2010 Income Tax Return. The Foundation has nearly one million members nationwide, and offers both six month memberships at $10, and one year memberships for $15. With either membership, you can elect to receive ten free trees, or have ten trees planted in a National Forest. According to the Foundation's website, a single tree, over the course of fifty years, can generate $31,250 worth of air pollution control, recylce $37,500 worth of water and provide $31,500 worth of soil erosion. If you elect to receive the ten trees, you will be asked to enter your zip code, and then select from Flowering Trees, Colorado Blue Spruce, Wild Bird Trees, River Birch, Oaks, Redbuds, Autumn Classics or Firs. If you reside in the higher elevations surrounding the Salt Lake City and Ogden areas, I'd recommend selecting either the River Birch or Colorado Blue Spruce, as some of the other categories contain trees that would likely not survive the harsher conditions. Fir trees would not be recommended in the lower elevations or in heavy clay soil. Along with the trees, which will be shipped at an appropriate time for your climate zone, you will receive bi-monthy issues of the Arbor Day newsletter, the Tree Book describing the care and planting of trees, and discounts on trees and shrubs offered through the Foundation. Membership can be made through the Arbor Day Foundation's website or by mail at Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410. Corporate or individual donations are also welcomed.
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