November 21, 2007

Tree’s Company

Living Christmas Trees

O Tannenbaum, 
O Tannenbaum,
Your branches green delight us.
‘Til you get all brown and brittle,
And become wasteful holiday detritus.

For those of the Xmas persuasion, there’s a kinder, gentler way. This year, order a living evergreen.

A collaboration between landscapers Akina Designs and sustainable retailer One Earth One Design, the inspired program couldn’t be simpler: Pick a species of indigenous tree (white fir, Douglas fir, Western red cedar) and the team will deliver a strapping specimen, complete with aluminum planter, to your door.

Once the tree has served its purpose, the earth-conscious elves will either plant it in your yard or donate it to EarthCorps, a nonprofit that restores parks and open spaces. So it’s both an excuse to skip the family tree farm fiasco and a baby step toward a more sustainable world.

Which is something worth singing about.

One Earth One Design (206-418-8120 or 1earth1design.com). Order by December 13.