Living Greens for Happy Future Generations
Over the years I’ve searched and searched for a service that offers living Christmas tree rentals. Last year I found an advertisement in Conscious Choice Magazine for such a service, but when I looked up the company they didn’t actually exist. What a waste of advertising dollars! This year I continued my search and found some businesses offering this service. So far, I haven’t found a supplier in my area, but in hopes this will help readers outside Seattle here goes:
- Portland, Oregon: Somebody got this idea way before I started looking. The Original Living Christmas Tree Company has been renting holiday trees since 1992. You have the option to rent a tree that they replant after the holidays or purchase the tree to plant yourself.
- San Diego, California: Adopt a Christmas tree offers an array of living trees delivered to your door. Apparently for an extra $45 they’ll dress up as an “adults-only” elf when they deliver the tree. It is unclear if they will take the tree back after the holidays and replant it. They do encourage you to donate to plant the tree after the holidays.
- San Francisco, California: SFenivronment.org offers trees for just $90. You have to order by 12/8/2008 and pick up the tree yourself. However, after the holidays they pick up your living tree and replant it for you. Don’t expect traditional conifers here!
In years past I’ve settled for sheared rosemary shrubs, and I’ve purchased cut trees that we mulch after the holidays. I’ve considered purchasing a live conifer to replant myself, but I just don’t have the room in my own garden. Remember, our most popular Christmas trees grow up to be enormous. So, please keep that in mind before you pop it in the ground after the holidays.
If you’re aware of Seattle-area (or other) holiday tree rental services, please chime in! Or see Part II of this post where I found a local Seattle program.
Tags: christmas, christmas tree rental, living christmas tree
Great idea! My family hasn’t had the best luck with living Xmas trees, and as you say you have to have the space for one to get pretty big if it survives. We didn’t do a tree at all until our kid was 3 and started asking why we didn’t have one. So, we caved and I feel guilty every year. I hope at least that putting it in the yard waste at the end of the month means that it gets chipped up and composted!
I don’t know of a live tree rental in Seattle, but we often purchase our tree from the UW Forest Club. They cut the trees down from under powerlines (which would be cut down anyways) and the proceeds go to benefit the club. The sale happens the first weekend in December every year, so unfortunately it already took place this year. But it’s a good thing to keep in mind for next Christmas.
Thanks Willi. That’s great to hear. It seems like this is a great seasonal business opportunity for someone!
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