When determining which donor tree package is most suitable, consider the number of personalized donor elements you will need with the initial installation, plus the total you may need to add in the coming 5 years (or 10 years if you are planning further ahead).
Once you’ve calculated the total number required, that will help determine the right package for you.
For example, if you plan to recognize 44 donors with the initial installation, then add 6 per year for the next 5 years, that would mean a total of 74 personalized donor elements over 5 years. So in this case, we would recommend the 100 leaf tree to accommodate your donors.
Question: What if we only have a few names to begin with?
Sometimes when starting out, you will only have a few names to begin with, which is totally fine. However there are 2 ways that you can proceed.
Option 1: Complete Tree Design (50, 100, or 200 leaves + 25 Accent Leaves)
In this case you will receive the full number of leaves in the package you selected. We will include personalized leaves for all the donors you have provided, up to the maximum number in your package. Any remaining leaves will be provided without personalization, in addition to the 25 “accent leaves” (a mix of large and small sizes) we provide to ensure the tree has variation and looks full.
Advantage: this approach provides a complete and full looking tree, right from the beginning.
To Consider: any personalized elements that are added in the future will be made to “stack” on top of existing leaves, making them slightly thicker than the original pieces. Some people like the look of the varying thicknesses, but it’s something to be aware of.
Example: you have 18 donors to recognize in the initial installation and have chosen a 50-leaf tree package. In this case you will receive 18 personalized leaves, 32 blank leaves (50-18), and 25 accent leaves to fill out your tree. Future personalized leaves will be provided as “caps” for existing leaves.
Option 2: Partial Tree Design (Exact Number of Donor Elements + 25 Accent Leaves)
With this option, you will receive the exact number of personalized donor elements you requested, plus a total of 25 accent leaves (a mix of large and small sizes). Your installation template will also serve as a “roadmap” for installing future personalized donor elements so that your tree will grow in a way that is thoughtfully designed and planned.
Advantage: provides a clear design and future road map to ensure the available wall space is used efficiently for the tree to grow over time (without layering). The addition of 25 blank “accent leaves” will help ensure your Tree won’t be completely bare when it’s first installed. Having a sparse Tree to begin with can be helpful when trying to attract new donors to grow the Tree.
To Consider: depending on the number of personalized leaves you start with, your tree may look bare in the beginning. This can be helpful if you are trying to attract more new donors, but may not be as desirable if you are
Example: you have 66 donors to recognize in the initial installation and have chosen a 100-leaf tree package. In this case you will receive 66 personalized leaves, and 25 accent leaves to fill out your tree. There will be planned spaces for the next 34 personalized leaves (100-66) that you add in the future*
* note that all packages are produced and delivered with all required components. Nothing can be saved or banked for a future time. If additional components are required in the future, they are supplied at the following prices:
- add 1 personalized donor elements (leaf or bird) for $60
- add 5 personalized donor elements (leaf or bird) for $200 ($40 each)
- add 10 personalized donor elements (leaf or bird) for $350 ($35 each)
- add 25 personalized donor elements (leaf or bird) for $750 ($30 each)
- add 50 personalized donor elements (leaf or bird) for $1250 ($25 each)