O rent-a-tree, O rent-a-tree
Most Christmas tree buyers fall solidly into two camps: farmed or faux. In Los Angeles, a company offers a third option in form of live Christmas tree rentals.
Wed, Dec 02 2009 at 9:16 AM EST
7
There are a few things that can always be counted on in the month of December: eggnog and cookie tummy aches, Mariah Carey’s Christmas album playing on a loop in Rite-Aid, and the great Christmas tree debate.I’ll be delving deeper into the Christmas tree conundrum later this month in an Ask Mother Nature column but you might be already be accustomed with this perennially hot topic: what type of Christmas tree is better for the environment? A long-lasting, low-maintenance faux tree constructed in China with one of the planet’s worst enemies, PVC? Or the real deal, a farmed tree that’s possibly treated with pesticides, ripped from the earth, and then displayed in your home for a month before being dragged to the curb?
In my opinion, the real vs. fake Christmas tree debate is anchored more in holiday tradition than in any kind of eco-altruism and my answer to the above quandary may not please everyone (go for farmed, organically and locally grown trees, if possible). Turns out, a new, eco-progressive company in Los Angeles called The Living Christmas Co. is offering a third option: rentals of live, potted trees delivered to and picked up from your home in a biodiesel truck.
The concept behind the Living Christmas Co. is ingenious, and, according to the Los Angeles Times, not exactly a new one on the West Coast. On the Living Christmas Co. website, you can choose which type of tree you want to rent — Leylandi Cypress, Monterey Pines, Little Sequoias, Aleppo Pines, and Blue Cedars — and pick a specific delivery and pick-up date.
The over 8,000 in-stock trees rent for between $85 and $185, delivery and pick-up included. You can also purchase an assortment of fetching fair trade and eco-friendly ornaments and strands of LED lights to decorate your rent-a-tree with. “Adopting” a Christmas tree that returns to you year aftef year (it spends the “off season” growing and thriving in the company’s nursery) is also an option.
There are some obvious no-no’s associated with Christmas tree renting like flocking, trimming, not watering, and general neglect. In the event that you inadvertently kill the tree, you can say adios to the deposit.
So what say you Los Angeles residents who live within the delivery zone of the Living Christmas Co.? Will you be renting your Christmas tree this year? Or will you continue to unearth a plastic one from storage or buy a farmed one from a Vons parking lot?
Via [Los Angeles Times]
Photo: Brandonlaganke
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those
providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of
MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies
with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy
of any of their information.
 WorldShares
lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20
points now.Learn More Earn Points
|
Twitter
Stumble
Digg
Share
CLOSE
link:
link:
| Previous Post There's no place like a green home | Next Post Good vibrations |
Comments
ke
11/27/2010 19:01 PM
The delivery costs combined with the cost of the tree make it near impossible for anyone who wants a budget-friendly and eco-friendly option. The cheapest tree-- a 2-3 foot Aleppo Pine would cost $55 plus tax and tip for the driver in the end. A normal size tree, a 5-6 foot Blue Cedar is $80 plus $40 for deliver, almost $130 including tax and no tip. I want to do good for the environment and have a great christmas tree, why do they have to make it so expensive to do good?
Tree Rental
08/20/2010 15:04 PM
The benefits are multiple. No Dump waste, sturdy base, convenient, Longer lasting, and more room for gifts! http://plantman.com/live-christmas-tree.html
Tree Rental Service
07/20/2010 00:12 AM
San Francisco San jose Christmas tree rental from the Santa Cruz Mountains http://plantman.com/live-christmas-tree.html
Beautiful trees 6' -8' majestic grade. Delivered or Pickup.
Mike
12/03/2009 22:52 PM
Environmental benefits aside, renting a tree can be very expensive. Check out this graph at Econ4U.
http://econ4u.org/blog/2009/12/03/this-christmas-going-green-will-cost-s...
Frances
12/03/2009 16:55 PM
I think they mean trim as in prune, not trim as in decorate.
I think this is a fabulous idea. If I lived in LA and had the money, it would be a great option.
Punky B
12/02/2009 15:53 PM
How do you NOT trim a Christmas Tree?
