The brilliant golds and reds of Indian summer, lingering in parts of Western New York through these days of enjoyable weather, are very timely indeed.

Timely because it is the spot on the calendar when we need this last blast of warmth and extra dose of natural beauty, before we move inexorably on to the snows and grays of winter.

And timely because this burst of color under a bright sun reminds us just how important a healthy population of trees is to any community, just when The Buffalo News’ Green Leaf Campaign is winding down.

You have until Monday to use some of our money to give yourself credit for replenishing the area’s tree population. This program, in support of the Re-Tree WNY project, matches every $30 in donations with another $30 from The News, enough to buy a new tree toward the goal of 30,000 new trees to replace those destroyed by the October Surprise snowstorm of 2006.

Re-Tree started off strong, with memories of the storm still fresh and the need more clearly understood. But, with so many other things to worry about and the natural fading of recollection, fund-raising understandably has slowed.

Our Green Leaf Campaign is our effort to jog your memory. And your checkbook. Or, if you are interested in donating online, your credit card.

Our goal is to raise enough money to contribute 3,800 trees, each 10 to 15 feet high. So far, we’ve raised enough for 1,800 trees.

Those who contribute can have their name, or the name of a loved one or someone else the donor wishes to honor, published in The Buffalo News on a special recognition page.

Trees clean the air, shelter us from heat and glorify our skyline spring, summer and, especially, fall. They grow well in this climate, once someone bothers to plant them.

You can donate to Re-Tree WNY, c/o The Buffalo News, PO Box 6808, One News Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14240, with checks payable to Re-Tree WNY. You can also donate online

at www.buffalonews.com/greenleaf

. It is a gift that will benefit you, your children and your community for years to come.