The USA Tax Credit should reflect the spirit of this Nobel Laureate providing incentive for every private land owner, including homeowners, to plant trees on their property WITHOUT destroying a tree. The natural death of a tree is exempt.
The tax credit should be worth 'the cost of the tree (at fair market value) and labor to plant it plus 10%.'
It should apply to any tree planted on private property in excess of those that may have been cut down. If a property owner cuts down two trees, but, plants three; the tax credit is only on the extra tree planted. If the natural death of a tree occurs on private property, that is exempt from the 'removal' aspect of the statute and the replacement tree is given full credit.
The trees have to be 'native tree species' to the region of the country where planted. They can be propagated by the property owner, but, the credit will represent a 'standard' credit for self propagated trees that are made part of the permanent landscape of the property. The standard credit would reflect the cost of purchase of a tree, but, without the 10% or labor costs.
It is a one time credit per tree, that can receive an extra 5% credit if the tree is planted on National Arbor Day by proof of receipt purchase within thirty days of the last Friday in April. GPS reading would valiate the location of the tree upon planting and would have to be recorded on the citizens' tax return.
A non-profit organization could be established to 'register' the planted trees and formulate the extent the nation is replacing its trees or that could be a function of the Arbor Day Foundation.
