adopt a christmas tree!

Now that Thanksgiving is over many families are starting to decorate for Christmas. If you love the traditional Christmas tree and haven't gotten yours yet read this before you decide where to get it!
 
Many areas now offer live tree rentals or "adoptions." This is way more eco than going out and buying a tree that's been farmed then chopped down only to be discarded after the holidays.
 
Here's an update on the companies specializing in live or potted Christmas trees that I featured last year plus a new one on California's Central Coast:
 
San Diego is offering the same program they did last year but hurry because they usually sell out! This adopt-a-tree service sends dancing elves to deliver the tree to your door then you get to decorate it and keep it for the holidays. Afterward the elves come back to pick up the tree and plant it in a good location.

In Los Angeles you can rent a potted Christmas tree from Living Christmas Trees. They drop off your tree before the holidays then pick it up afterward.

San Francisco offers a similar tree "rental" service in which you pick out a tree pick it up and then either return it or arrange to have it picked up for a 25 fee. After your tree is picked up it gets planted along San Francisco's city streets.
 
In California's Central Coast Rent A Living Christmas Tree delivers to your door and picks up after the holidays. The trees either get used in landscaping or you can opt to plant your tree in your own yard.

Portland Oregon offers a potted tree rental for the holidays from Living Christmas Trees different company than the one in Los Angeles. They will drop off your tree and pick it up after the holidays then they plant the trees around schools churches in parks and watersheds all over the Northwest.
 
Here are a few more companies that offer both cut trees boo and potted living trees yay!:
 
Denver Colorado – Tagawa Gardens sells potted trees that you can keep inside for up to seven days then plant in your own yard. If you go this route be sure to dig the hole you plan to plant the tree in before the ground freezes – that means early December according to their website so if you want to plant a tree in your yard dig that hole soon!
 
Somers Connecticut – Pell Farms is another company that sells both cut and potted Christmas trees. The potted trees are available from 2' to 6' high ranging in price from 20 - 90. They also have a location offering the same in Grafton Massachusetts. Another tree farm in Massachusetts is the Cape Cod Tree Farm located in South Dennis. In Springwater New York – All Western Trees sells potted trees.
 
An Even More Eco Option…
 
Instead of buying a tree decorate one in your yard using decorations you already have along with energy efficient Christmas lights if you like. You can also hang these DIY pine-cone bird feeders on your outdoor Christmas tree to celebrate the season with your feathered neighbors. Be creative!
 
I'm always so sad when I walk the streets of New York after the holidays. All the trees lay out dead and discarded on the street. It feels so wasteful and sad. Luckily there are lots of alternatives – let's not be the people who leave our discarded Christmas trees out on the curb!
 
I love these options! Are you doing something more eco than getting a tree? What are you planning? Share your eco-friendly tips in the comments below!

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