TREELOVER Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does it cost $97 to 'Adopt A Tree'? Where does my money go?
- Is your organisation not for profit?
- Where will my tree be planted?
- What is the difference between 'Adopt A Tree' and 'Adopt A Forest'?
- Can I upgrade my tree package?
- Why should I adopt a TreeLovers tree instead of planting my own?
- If I adopt a tree, how will it help the environment? Do I keep the tree?
- Do I keep the tree?
- Can I visit my tree?
- Can I adopt a rose bush or something that isn't Australian?
- Can I choose the type of Australian tree I adopt?
- How do I know my tree has been planted?
- Can I come to Ganngjalah and plant my own tree?
- What Happens If My Tree dies?
- How many Trees I can adopt?
- Can 1 tree be adopted by 2 people?
- Can I request a photo of my tree?
- Do you offer a guarantee on the TreeLover 'Adopt A Tree' gift packages?
- I want to 'Adopt A Tree'... How do I pay?
- Can I use the downloadable order form to Adopt A Forest
- Can I make a change to my certificate after I have ordered?
- When will my package be sent and how long will it take to arrive?
Why does it cost $97 to 'Adopt A Tree'? Where does my money go?
Preparing the tree before it can go into the ground is a fairly extensive process, especially when the tree is specialised such as the bush food and medicinal species we plant. We have shown this process in a video called 'Where Does The Money Go' that you can find on the 'About Us' page. After watching this, we're sure you'll agree that the price is very reasonable.
If you don't have time to view the video, a brief description of the steps we do is listed below. Your money goes towards materials such as soil, mulch, pots, shade cloth, watering equipment, weeding equipment, tree guards, stakes, walking tracks, etc, etc.
- Collect seeds from mature plants in the local area
- Wash and clean the fruit from the seed
- Sow the seed into a pot, label and water.
- Water, weed and protect seeds from critters until they germinate (3 days-1 year. Average 3mths)
- Transfer germinated seedlings into larger pots.
- Water (daily) and weed the plants in the nursery until they are big, strong and sun hardy enough to be planted in the gardens.
- Once they are ready for planting, we prepare the planting area which begins with slashing and/or clearing of weeds
- Remove a 1 square metre (at least) patch of grass from the top surface of the soil
- Dig and turn all soil in the hole to ensure it's easy for the new plant to spread its roots
- Plant the adopted tree in prepared hole
- Water the plant (in most cases we need to carry water to the plant from the water supply)
- Place cardboard/newspaper around the base of the plant (for weed maintenance)
- Collect and place mulch around the new planting.
- Place protective bag/mesh around plant to protect from animal grazing, frosts, heat.
- Mark plant with stake, tag and/or take GPS locality recording
- Maintain regularly. This includes regular inspections for damage, watering (if it doesn't rain), clearing of weeds and grass that grow around the base of plant, mulch at 3 month intervals until plant is established, mowing and brush cutting around the planting area to create mulch and reduce weed or grass domination of habitat.
Is your organisation not for profit?
Yes, the Mt Burrell Cultural Gardens is a registered not-for-profit organisation (although we like to call it profit-for-purpose instead!). We are also registered with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as an educational charity and have been endorsed by the ATO as a Deductible Gift Recipient. This means we can send you an official tax deductible receipt for any donations we receive.
Where will my tree be planted?
Your adopted tree will be planted at the Mt Burrell Cultural Gardens, trading as Ganngjalah - 'Place of Learning', which is located in Mount Burrell in northern New South Wales, Australia. This is approximately 1 hour north west from Byron Bay, or 1 hour south west from Coolangatta. You can see our location in a map on the 'Çontact us' page.
Adopted trees are planted in particular zones around the gardens. These zones are displayed on signage to help visitors locate their tree. Using the signs, together with the unique number that is shown on the TreeLover certificate (which contains an abbreviation of the zone that the tree is planted) will help pinpoint the exact location of the tree.
What is the difference between 'Adopt A Tree' and 'Adopt A Forest'?
The main difference between adopting a tree and adopting a forest is when you Adopt A Tree, there is a once-off payment and we plant 1 tree for you or your loved one or business associate. In return for your donation, we send you (or the person you nominate) a thank you gift that includes the following:
- Adopt A Tree Certificate that is individually numbered and personalized.
- A fact sheet about your Adopted Australian native tree. The information on this full color, double-sided leaflet will have photos of your tree species, its characteristics, history, traditional medicinal uses, culinary uses and a bush food recipe.
- TreeLovers bumper sticker
- A Tax Deductible donation receipt
- Bush Tucker Samples from your tree. A future gift of tasty treats produced from the fruits of your tree.
** Subject to availability.
When you Adopt A Forest, your credit card will be charged every month (until you ask us to stop) as an ongoing donation that assists us to 'bring back the forests'. This means we will plant in areas that were once forested, but have now been cleared, and/or rescue struggling bushland and rainforests that are being dominated by weeds or other threats. Your monthly contribution provides the funds for us to continue planting trees, remove weeds and create the best opportunity for bushland and rainforests to regenerate. In return we will send you a thank you gift that includes the following:
- A beautiful certificate. Your certificate will be individually numbered and personalized.
- A fact sheet about your Adopted Australian native tree. The information on this full color, double-sided leaflet will have photos of your tree species, its characteristics, history, traditional medicinal uses, culinary uses and a bush food recipe.
- An ebook titled 'Wild Sense on the Tukka Trail' which is jam-packed with interesting information, pictures, recipes, etc about the trees that we will plant in your forest.
- TreeLovers bumper sticker.
- Tax deductible donation receipt (sent annually, otherwise, at the completion of your subscription if shorter than 1 year).
- Bush Tucker Samples from your tree. A future gift of tasty treats produced from the fruits of your tree. **Subject to availability
- A detailed description of your forest and the animals that reside within it. A photo will be included if possible.
- Quarterly updates of your forest and the progress we are making.
Can I upgrade my tree package?
Yes, you can. You can upgrade the 'Adopt A Tree' package to any of the following deluxe packages. Prices listed are the total cost (ie the prices below include the standard gift package cost of $97).
- TreeLover Freeze Frame $147.00 AUD ($97+$50) : Digital photos of your adopted tree being planted will be posted to you on CD.
- TreeLover Action! $167.00 AUD ($97+$70) : Digital video of your adopted tree being planted, posted to you on DVD.
- TreeLover Plaque $177.00 AUD ($97+$80) : A personalised plaque will be displayed in front of your adopted tree containing your name, TreeLovers number and botanical information about your tree.
- TreeLover Frame $247.00 AUD ($97+$150) : Protect and display your beautiful TreeLover certificate in a frame made from Australian timber (recycled when available).
- TreeLover Rock $997.00 AUD ($97+$900) : Your name will be displayed on a feature rock near your tree.
- TreeLover Bench $2497.00 AUD ($97+$2400) - A beautiful park bench made from Australian timber (recycled if available) will be placed under or beside your tree. The bench will display a personalised plaque and provide a place for visitors to rest and enjoy the serenity near your tree.
Why should I adopt a TreeLovers tree instead of planting my own?
As many people are now becoming more and more aware of both - the continued resources that trees provide and the side effects that humans face due to environmental damage, more and more people are developing a desire to help make a positive difference to our planet. Unfortunately many people don't always have enough time, space or knowledge to plant enough trees today, so that our kids will have clean air and water tomorrow.
The 'Adopt A Tree' and 'Adopt A Forest' packages provide a service that allows people from any corner of the earth to adopt as many trees as they like without having to worry about doing the hard work or not having enough time, space, knowledge or energy for continued maintenance. It seems that quite a few people like the idea of planting a tree but not having to get their hands dirty which is lucky for all the volunteers at Ganngjalah, who absolutely LOVE planting trees - otherwise they wouldn't be volunteering!
If I adopt a tree, how will it help the environment?
Trees are currently the only natural way of removing global warming gases from the atmosphere. You may think that planting 1 tree is only a small step, but if many people take this small step then it soon becomes a very compelling and effective, collective achievement.
Additionally, with the amount of vacant land that exists in the world - land that was once forested, we have the opportunity to plant trees to help remove carbon from the atmosphere but also to provide a bounty of resources that will help communities all over the world. Trees provide employment, resources and make communities self sufficient and independent.
Planting trees also provides a reason to discontinue clearing any other remaining old growth vegetation. These older trees store a massive amount of the world's global warming gases. If we prevent these trees from being cleared then we prevent the carbon they hold from being released into the atmosphere which happens when forests are cleared and then burnt.
Do I keep the tree?
No, the tree is planted for you at Ganngjalah, where you can come to visit at any time. You will be happy to know that by us planting your tree in this environment, your decision to do something positive, will not only help restore the environment, but provide ongoing education as well. In return, you keep the 'Adopt A Tree' gift package that we send in appreciation of the support and encouragement you have offered. This contains a beautiful certificate and information (with pictures) about the type of tree we have planted for you. Many people who have adopted trees, express that they are simply very happy to know that an Aussie bush food and medicine tree has been planted for them, but then receive the additional bonus of discovering that once they display their certificate for all to see, they soon become the 'hero' amongst friends and family (as well as visitors at Ganngjalah) for taking action to cool the planet, assist environmental restoration, protect endangered animals and provide education!
Can I visit my tree?
Absolutely! We encourage you to visit your tree - you can even hug it if you like! Simply contact us to organise a date and time. If you would like a guide to enhance your visit (whilst we are in the early stages of development it may be difficult to find your way around), for an additional fee, we can organise a volunteer to give you a private tour of Ganngjalah and guide you to your tree.
Can I adopt a rose bush or something that isn't Australian?
Because we focus only on Australian native species, the answer to this question is no. Our objectives are to regenerate the original bushland that once existed in that location, and to use those forests to educate visitors about Australian flora and fauna so that they are empowered to take similar action in their own backyards (albeit, on a smaller scale). There are many other organisations, arboretums, botanic gardens and gardeners who are planting roses and other common varieties, but there are very few people planting Australian native food and medicinal plants. Of those that do, there are even fewer who make the information available to the general public for education. When more people learn about the trees we plant at Ganngjalah, there will be many more flourishing gardens filled with plants that produce food, feed native wildlife and thrive on very little water.
Can I choose the type of Australian tree I adopt?
Yes, but this is a choice that incurs an extra fee of $50 AUD. Because we are planting a selected variety of Australian plants that are somewhat new to cultivation, these plants need to be positioned in a section of land that they are best suited to. For these reasons, it is always best for our horticulturists to select and plant the perfect tree in the perfect location. If someone without this knowledge chooses a tree, we then have to ensure that the tree is planted in an optimum location which requires extra time and on-ground work.
How do I know my tree has been planted?
We will send you your 'Adopt A Tree' gift package with a certificate to let you know when, where and what has been planted for you. We only process the certificate after the tree has been planted.
Can I come to Ganngjalah and plant my own tree?
Yes you can. Many people have come to plant their own tree at Ganngjalah. Some people organise group plantings for their friends before a wedding or special birthday or even after the loss of a loved one. Simply contact us to organise a suitable date.
What Happens If My Tree dies?
This is something that happens very rarely. We have a 99% success rate to date, but should your tree die due to any unforeseen circumstances, we will assess what went wrong and replant a new tree for you. It may be necessary to replace the tree with another species that proves more suitable to the locality. If we replace the tree with a different species, we will send out a new certificate together with updated information about the new tree.
How many Trees I can adopt?
You can adopt as many trees as you like. We have many trees in our nursery that are awaiting adoption and ready for planting now.
Can 1 tree be adopted by 2 people?
No. We offer one tree for one person only.
Can I request a photo of my tree?
Yes, but this 'upgrade' incurs an extra fee. This is due to the extra time and equipment that is required to photograph your tree specifically.
Do you offer a guarantee on the TreeLover 'Adopt A Tree' gift packages?
All TreeLover gift packages are backed by a 30-day money back guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your gift package, please contact us we will refund your money.
I want to 'Adopt A Tree'... How do I pay?
There are a number of ways to make your adopt a tree payment
- You can place your order on the 'Order Page' and pay using our Paypal secure online payment system which accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards.
- Print out the custom order form and email it to us with a copy of the receipt of your direct deposit payment. Direct deposit details are:
BSB: 032584
ACCOUNT NO: 144169
ACCOUNT NAME: Mt. Burrell Cultural Gardens
REF: TreeLover Order [Insert Your Surname Here] - Print out the custom order form and send it to us together with a bank cheque or money order made payable to Mt Burrell Cultural Gardens. Please post to our postal address located on the 'Contact Us' page.
Please Note:
** All orders are only processed after payment is in our bank account.
** Payment options 2 and 3 can only be used to Adopt A Tree.
If you would like to Adopt A Forest, then we will require credit card or direct debit details.
Can I use the downloadable order form to Adopt A Forest
When you choose to Adopt A Forest, we will set up an automated payment system that is processed on the same day each month, therefore we are only able to accept credit card details for this option. If you do not have a credit card, please contact us to arrange a monthly payment that will be directly debited from your bank account.
Can I make a change to my certificate after I have ordered?
Yes, you can. The fee for any changes after your order has been submitted is $15.00. To go about requesting those changes you must send us an e-mail that includes the date you ordered, the name on the order and all changes requested.
When will my package be sent and how long will it take to arrive?
Your TreeLover package will be processed and sent within 48-72 hours after receiving your order. For orders within Australia, please allow 5-7 business days for your TreeLover package to arrive. For international orders, please allow 10-14 business days for your TreeLover package to arrive.
Please Note: Orders are only fulfilled once payment has landed in our bank account.
