Introduction
In an era marked by environmental concerns and the rising demand for sustainable practices, Grow-Trees.com introduced a simple yet powerful model: Greet with Trees®. This initiative encourages individuals and organizations to replace traditional, resource-intensive gifts with the planting of trees, symbolizing growth, care, and long-term impact.
Unlike material gifts that are quickly consumed or discarded, Greet with Trees® offers a meaningful and lasting gesture, planting a tree in honour of someone, accompanied by an eTreeCertificate®. This digital certificate bears the recipient’s name and a personalized message, highlighting the location and purpose of the plantation, whether it’s saving biodiversity, supporting local communities, or offsetting carbon emissions.
The Concept Behind Greet with Trees®
At its core, Greet with Trees® is a revolutionary approach to gifting that combines ecological responsibility with emotional value. The concept is simple yet impactful:
- Instead of flowers, souvenirs, or gift hampers, trees are planted in the name of the recipient.
- An eTreeCertificate® is generated, which can be emailed or downloaded instantly.
- Each certificate includes the recipient’s name, a personal message, and project details (e.g., “Trees for Tigers®“, “Trees for Villagers™”, or “Trees for Elephants®“).
This concept has found widespread resonance across individual users and corporate partners alike. Organizations have particularly embraced this initiative as part of their CSR, employee engagement, and green gifting programs.
Corporate Adoption and Impact
For companies, Greet with Trees® aligns perfectly with sustainability goals, ESG mandates, and employee well-being programs. By planting trees and dedicating them to employees, instead of material items, corporates:
- Reduce their environmental footprint.
- Reinforce a culture of ecological consciousness.
- Enhance their brand image as responsible businesses.
Many corporations have incorporated Greet with Trees® into employee birthdays, anniversaries, onboarding welcome kits, festive greetings, client appreciation gifts, and milestone celebrations.
Employee Sentiment and Emotional Value
Receiving an eTreeCertificate® often evokes a sense of pride and emotional connection among employees. Unlike conventional corporate gifts, this green gesture:
- Reflects shared values between the employer and the employee.
- Creates a sense of belonging and purpose.
- Encourages sustainable living beyond the workplace.
Survey Insights
To further understand the effectiveness and emotional impact of Greet with Trees® on corporate stakeholders, a survey was conducted among corporations and CSR teams that used the initiative.
Client Voices: Study on Greet with Trees®
To understand the real-world impact and reception of Greet with Trees®, Grow-Trees.com conducted one-on-one interviews with corporate partners.
Corporate gifting has always been about connection, a token of appreciation for employees, clients, or partners. But in today’s world, where sustainability has moved from being a “nice-to-have” to a non-negotiable value, material gifts often fall flat.
What employees and stakeholders want is not another mug, diary, or box of sweets. They’re asking for gestures that mean something, gifts that reflect care not just for them, but also for the planet.
That’s where the eTreeCertificate® by Grow-Trees.com is changing the game.
Instead of a physical object that gathers dust, recipients receive a certificate for a tree planted in their name, a gift that grows, restores ecosystems, and empowers communities. We spoke to leaders across industries to understand why they made the switch and the impact it has had on their people.
“It felt purposeful, more meaningful.” – Equirus Capital
For Equirus Capital, the decision stemmed from a simple realization: material gifts weren’t leaving a mark.
“We were looking for something more impactful rather than a material gift,” recalls Mr. Anukool Ganesh. “We researched a bit and came across the eTreeCertificate®. It felt purposeful, more meaningful than sending something physical.”
The company now uses the initiative to celebrate employee birthdays. The process is seamless: a birthday list is shared, eTreeCertificate® goes out, and the responses pour in.
“Employees always find it a pleasant surprise. We even get messages like, ‘Wow, that eTreeCertificate® is amazing!’”
What started as a small change has quietly built a culture of appreciation rooted in sustainability.
“It instantly clicked.” – Walking Tree
At Walking Tree, the search was for a gift that carried intention, not just convenience.
“We were looking for a gift that wasn’t just a thing, something that actually made a difference,” says Mr. Dishant Khatri. “We found the eTreeCertificate®, and it instantly clicked.”
Though not tied to a formal HR initiative, the impact has been palpable.
“Small gestures like this help celebrate personal milestones and resonate deeply with our people. Some even asked who we partnered with because they wanted to gift trees to friends and family.”
Here, the eTreeCertificate® became more than a gift; it sparked conversations and personal ownership of sustainability.
“It’s our number one option.” – Brown Living
For Brown Living, which champions sustainable living, the choice was obvious.
“We always encourage people to plant trees,” says Ms. Samara Murzello. “Especially for gifting, we recommend eTreeCertificates® as the number one option.”
The initiative ties seamlessly into their larger vision: planting a million trees.
“Having a tree in your name gives people a sense of accomplishment. People are definitely noticing, it’s helping build awareness.”
Here, the certificate is not just a gift; it’s an invitation to be part of a collective movement for the planet.
“It was a reflection of our values.” – EY GDS
For EY GDS, sustainability isn’t a campaign, it’s a core belief. Choosing the eTreeCertificate® was a natural extension of this ethos.
“Our organization places a high emphasis on sustainability. Choosing the eTreeCertificate® was a reflection of our values and our hope to inspire employees toward a greener future,” shares Mr. Venkatesha Kumar.
The result? Pride and belonging among employees, and admiration from clients and partners.
“Even though they’re not planting directly, employees feel part of the cause. Clients and partners have responded positively, some have even gone on to sponsor trees themselves.”
Conclusion
Greet with Trees® goes beyond the conventional boundaries of gifting; it creates a ripple effect that touches people, communities, and the planet. Today, with corporate gifting in India alone valued at over ₹12,000 crore (US$1.5 billion) annually and growing at nearly 200% year-on-year in the sustainable segment, there is a clear demand for eco-conscious alternatives. Research by Deloitte shows that 75% of employees prefer working for organizations that demonstrate strong environmental and social commitments, underscoring the importance of aligning corporate culture with sustainability.
Through Greet with Trees®, organizations are not only reducing their ecological footprint but also contributing tangibly to pressing environmental needs. For instance, every 100 trees planted can absorb up to 2,200 kilograms of CO₂ annually, while also restoring habitats and improving groundwater levels, benefits that extend far beyond a single gifting gesture.
What sets this initiative apart is the emotional and social resonance it creates. Surveys reveal that 83% of recipients feel a stronger connection with a company that chooses sustainable gifting over material options. The stories from partners like EY GDS, Brown Living, and Equirus Capital reflect this impact, where a simple certificate evolves into a shared commitment toward a greener tomorrow.
As the world moves toward responsible consumption, Greet with Trees® is not merely a symbolic gesture but a concrete step toward corporate responsibility and ecological restoration. It enables organizations to honor milestones, celebrate relationships, and build brand goodwill while contributing to a legacy that grows with time.