San Francisco has a bit of a twist on the concept by offering locally appropriate trees to rent. For $60 you can pick up a leafy conifer suitable for the warm wet climate, which is later donated to the Friends of the Urban Forest. The trees are planted on the famously hilly streets to help keep the air and water clean, provide habitat, cool the city down, and generally make everyone a bit happier.

In Los Angeles the Living Christmas Company, which is in its third year, will deliver an evergreen to your home and pick it up again. You pick your species and size and they do all the rest. Once the tree becomes too large they donate it to the Urban Reforestation Project, which is supported by carbon tax credits. Prices range from $25 for a 2 foot tree to $125 for an eight footer that is sure to make the neighbors jealous.

In Portland, Oregon the Original Living Christmas Tree Company has been renting trees for nineteen years. They deliver one of seven species to your front door for $90. After the holidays they pick it up and plant it in an urban park or garden to improve local watershed.