It’s a tree with an international family.

Twenty “green” ambassadors from Brazil joined a like number from Friendship Force of Whidbey Island on Tuesday afternoon to plant an 8-foot white birch outside Langley.

“We try to get trees that represent the country,” said Duke LeBaron, president of the local group, as members of both chapters took turns tossing shovels of dirt around the newest addition. “But we couldn’t find a tree here that grows in Brazil.”

The graywood ghost birch joins 18 other specialty trees at the north end of the soccer fields at the South Whidbey Sports Complex. They were planted by previous exchange groups from 15 countries since 1992, and each planting is commemorated by a small plaque in the “Trees of Friendship” stone monument in the grove.

The 40-member local chapter of Friendship Force is one of more than 350 groups in 60 countries dedicated to promoting peace through shared visits. Former President Jimmy Carter is among the founders.

Before Tuesday’s planting, Langley Mayor Paul Samuelson presented a framed proclamation of solidarity on behalf of the city to Vera Lucia Frantz, president of the Brazilian chapter from Santo Angelo.

“We’re really glad we can do this,” said Frantz. “It’s a symbol of our friendship.”

Trees are of huge concern in Brazil, she said, given the continued threat to the country’s

rain forest.

The Brazilians arrived Monday after a stop in Cincinnati, Ohio, and were to spend a week on Whidbey Island before heading home.

“This is a good place for a vacation,” Frantz said. “Everything is really green — much greener than any other place we’ve been.”

Added Lais Auler, 15, the youngest member of the Brazilian group: “We like trees.”

LeBaron said the local chapter’s next planting trip will be in the fall of 2009, to Ulyanovsk, Russia, the birthplace of Lenin.

To learn more about the Friendship Force, visit the local group’s Web site at www.friendshipforcewhidbey.org.