Plant a Tree
When my dad traveled he would often bring back acorns and plant them. He'd also move tiny seedlings around to a more auspicious location on his wooded lot. For me, nothing beats walking up and down the rows of seedling trees at the nurseries, trying to find an unusual species to plant. A sourwood, a bur oak, a sassafras, maybe an ironwood. It's just hard to beat the fun of planting trees, especially since Michigan has so many native varieties.
I plant a tree when a relative has passed away. I'll look at it years later and think "grandma's oak is quite large." Many people plant trees when someone is born, on anniversaries, or holidays such as Mother's Day.
In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. Started in Nebraska, now every state has its own date for Arbor Day. In Michigan, Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April, which will be April 27th this year.
GRPL has many books on all aspects of trees and their care. And here are a few good sites about trees that include planting instructions:
www.treesaregood.com
www.bestgardening.com
www.woodtv.com
After all, what could be more satisfying than sitting in the shade of a tree that you planted yourself!