Excellent  way  to  follow  a  holistic  approach  in  daily  life.
This  is  an  inspiration  to  me. Meditation  can  definitely  change  the  thinking   pattern  of  people.
Dr. S. Prabakaran, Bangalore, India

I believe the distinction "gift" is giving something without expectation of return (either in money or demands or manipulation.)  In regard to the first example... where did you plant them, and for whom?  If they are in a public place meant for others' enjoyment, then yes, that is a gift.  The birthday saplings were a gift.

Ganoba, if you planted trees, I would consider them a gift because they will share oxygen freely without regard to who is breathing it.  Besides, nothing is really ours, is it? We aren't taking any of it with us when we leave this life.

I happen to believe that we are all connected so that whatever we do for one another, we do for ourselves, and vice versa. 

But that's just the way I see it. What do I know?