Trees are the longest living organisms on the planet and one of the earth’s greatest natural resources. They keep our air supply clean, reduce noise pollution, improve water quality, help prevent erosion, provide food and building materials, create shade, and help make our landscapes look beautiful. Here are some more thought-provoking facts and figures about our oldest citizens and living treasures…trees!

1. Well-maintained trees and shrubs can increase property value by up to 14%.
2. Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30%
3. A mature tree removes almost 70 times more pollution than a newly planted tree.
4. A healthy tree can have a value of up to $10,000.
5. The shade and wind buffering provided by trees reduces annual heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.
6. Each average-sized tree provides an estimated $7 savings in annual environmental benefits, including energy conservation and reduced pollution.
7. A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four!
8. Water originating in our national forests provide drinking water for over 3400 communities, and approximately 60 million individuals.
9. One tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles.
10. Over the course its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide.
11. An average American uses about 750 pounds of paper every year, and 95% of homes are built using wood. That means each person uses the equivalent of one 100 foot tall, 16 inch diameter, tree every year for their paper and wood product needs.
12. About one third of the United States of America is covered by forests.
13. According to the last forest inventory, there are almost 247 billion trees over 1 inch in diameter in the U.S.
14. The average tree in an urban/city area has a life expectancy of only 8 years.
15. The tallest tree in the country is a Coast Redwood growing in northern California’s Redwood National Park. It is 369 feet tall and over 2000 years old!
16. http://www.savatree.com/tree-facts.html  from this site.

                                    Colorado Blue Spruce in all its Winter Wonder

Trees help our environment and evergreens look fantastic even in the winter.

We went to a tree seed meeting this January and had the honour of visiting an araucaria forest in Chile. I love trees but had no idea how this unique Monkey Puzzle Tree Forest in the mountains of Chile, near the Argentina border would affect my view of trees and how important they really are in our world.

Seeing that forest of ancient looking trees, some 1000 years old or more was one of those of life’s experiences that I will never forget. Apparently part for Jurassic Park was filmed and it is truly magnificent   place. So next time I plant a tree, I will think of all the living that will go on after I am gone and someone else will enjoy that tree I planted for many more years.

Plant a tree for yourself, plant a tree for the environment, plant a tree for futures generations, there is no good reason not to plant a tree.

January  17, 2013

Thanks for Reading.

Sheila

Share the hope of the Season all year round.

9 Daily Habits That Will Make You Happier

These minor changes in your daily routine will make a major difference in your life and career.

Happiness is the only true measure of personal success. Making other people happy is the highest expression of success, but it’s almost impossible to make others happy if you’re not happy yourself.

With that in mind, here are nine small changes that you can make to your daily routine that, if you’re like most people, will immediately increase the amount of happiness in your life:

1. Start each day with expectation.

If there’s any big truth about life, it’s that it usually lives up to (or down to) your expectations. Therefore, when you rise from bed, make your first thought: “something wonderful is going to happen today.” Guess what? You’re probably right.

2. Take time to plan and prioritize.

The most common source of stress is the perception that you’ve got too much work to do.  Rather than obsess about it, pick one thing that, if you get it done today, will move you closer to your highest goal and purpose in life. Then do that first.

3. Give a gift to everyone you meet.

I’m not talking about a formal, wrapped-up present. Your gift can be your smile, a word of thanks or encouragement, a gesture of politeness, even a friendly nod. And never pass beggars without leaving them something. Peace of mind is worth the spare change.

4. Deflect partisan conversations.

Arguments about politics and religion never have a “right” answer but they definitely get people all riled up over things they can’t control. When such topics surface, bow out by saying something like: “Thinking about that stuff makes my head hurt.”

5. Assume people have good intentions.

Since you can’t read minds, you don’t really know the “why” behind the “what” that people do. Imputing evil motives to other people’s weird behaviors adds extra misery to life, while assuming good intentions leaves you open to reconciliation.

6. Eat high quality food slowly.

Sometimes we can’t avoid scarfing something quick to keep us up and running. Even so, at least once a day try to eat something really delicious, like a small chunk of fine cheese or an imported chocolate. Focus on it; taste it; savor it.

7. Let go of your results.

The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on events that are outside your control. Once you’ve taken action, there’s usually nothing more you can do. Focus on the job at hand rather than some weird fantasy of what might happen.

8. Turn off “background” TV.

Many households leave their TVs on as “background noise” while they’re doing other things. The entire point of broadcast TV is to make you dissatisfied with your life so that you’ll buy more stuff. Why subliminally program yourself to be a mindless consumer?

9. End each day with gratitude.

Just before you go to bed, write down at least one wonderful thing that happened. It might be something as small as a making a child laugh or something as huge as a million dollar deal. Whatever it is, be grateful for that day because it will never come again.

We like this article by : Geoffrey James

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/9-daily-habits-that-will-make-you-happier.html?nav=pop&buffer_share=43a06&utm_source=buffer

Almost the end of the year it seems like a time to think back on accomplishments and memorable times.
This past summer my daughter and myself swam in the, “Women Swimmin” fundraiser here in Ithaca NY to support the Local Hospice.
http://womenswimmin.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1016969 I recommend watching the video it is very inspiring.

Quote,”…as 291 swimmers and almost 187 boaters crossed Cayuga Lake. They were met on shore by about 1000 volunteers and well wishers. Everyone enjoyed music from the Yardvarks and breakfast from Ithaca Bakery and Collegetown Bagels. A great morning to be at the Ithaca Yacht Club! ”

Wommen Swimmin is a very enthusiastic community event in support of  The Tompkins County and Palliative Care Center. I had wanted to do the across the CayugaLlake swim for several years but this year I planned on signing up early. Since it was the 9th year , the registration closed after less than 24 hours .
I recently read an article about planting leftover flower bulbs in the garden at the Hospice , I think we should do that next year, in addition to the swimming of course.

Tree Beggings supports our local businesses and always have Since 1992. We also support childrens programs and give seed to some environmental programs throughout the year.

Children love the environment

Children are the greatest among us, they are wonderful ambassadors for our environment.
Remember the Children of Newtown, Conn: Plant a Memory that will grow and remember  them forever.

Support the Environment, Plant a Tree

Plant a Memory for the Children

grow memories with tree seedlings

Welcome the Tree Beggings Blog
Our blogs are going to be a combination of articles we think would be helpful, interesting favors we have created for our customers ( you might like) and general thoughts on the state of things at our place. Please feel free to send us any suggestions, comments, questions , ideas , pictures you may want to contribute. We are really flexible and excited to start planting some seeds in 2012.  Thanks, Sheila ( the idea person)

We hope to start a montly give away this spring . Stay tuned, we what to hear from you.

In an effort to find the most fabulous favors we are hoping your will consider adding a touch of “green” to your Wedding day. Whetheryou choose, trees, seed plantable seeded favors or beautiful flower bulbs ,our aspiration is simply to offer a large selection of earth-friendly guest gifts for your to choose from that may complement your individual styles on your Wedding Day.

At Plant a Memory favors & gifts we would not offer a favor we would not be proud to have at our own weddings.
We would move heaven and earth to make them work for you. Please consider an eco favor for your wedding guests because they are good for the environment, customized with your names and wedding date, they are unique gifts, many designs are artist-rendered & exclusive, they are beautifully presented down to the last detail and all of the favors say “Thank You” on the cards expressing gratitude in a thoughtful gift .

We are introducing our new Tree Seedling in a Box. We have been offering the tree seedlings favors for
several years and have struggled with the presentation. This year we havedesigned our own boxes .
The boxes and cards can be assembly completely ,well in advance of the wedding date, eliminating any last minute stress (with favors that is).

The box has a star cut out on the top , just have to pop the trees in a few days before the wedding, transport to the reception venue and you have a eco-chic table decoration your guests will love.

These trees are timeless wedding guest souveniers that will create “growing memories”  of your  life together year after year, beginning with your Wedding Day.

Hope you like our earth-friendly favors and thank you for sharing this blog with us.

Kind Regards,

Sheila( the idea person) , Robin( the details are important person)  & Amy( the efficient , I can do this faster than you person)  the girls at Plant a Memory Favors

Check out our facebook page for more crazy  articles we want to share with when we find them.
www.facebook.com/treebeginnings