Trees for your Centerpiece

Oh, to sit in the shade of a tree on a sweltering summer day...

There’s something so tranquil, so comforting.

In the words of that Kaiser-Permanente commercial (the one advocating electronic files to save more trees): “I will never see an 80-page document that’s more beautiful than a tree.”

Or in the words of one of my students:  “Homework kills trees!”

No, I’m not trying to prevent homework from being assigned, but the argument does stand.  We need to take care of our trees and maintain their necessary presence in our communities.

Here are some fun tree facts
(thanks to http://www.treesaregood.org/):

• 
  
  Trees are the longest living organisms on earth.

• 
  
  In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles.

• Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.

• Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds.

To show our love for trees, one thing we are considering is using them as our centerpieces.

Duranta trees (or shrubs) are whispy and elegant, with clusters of lavendar colored flowers.

Some other trees that could make great centerpieces include:

Olive trees

The trees of peace.

Olive Tree

Manzanita trees—great for fall weddings since the bark has a reddish hue to it.

Manzanita Tree

Fruit trees- from apple to lemon to cherry to Jaboticaba... pick a fruit that your wedding’s location is known for!

Jaboticaba Fruit Tree Plant

Or even try “ivy trees”.

Ivy Topiaries

And don’t forget to attach a “How to Care for this Tree” instruction card on the base of the plant.  To ensure the tree will grow well in the climate it is being taken to (in case any roadtripping guests want to take one home), find out at: Fast Growing Trees, and click on “Will my tree grow in this area?”