By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Don't have room to plant a living tree in your garden after the holidays and don't like the idea of buying a cut one?  Consider renting a living tree.  We know of at least two cities where you have that option.

In Portland, you can rent a 5' or 7' tree for $70-80 dollars, depending on whether you pick it up yourself or have it delivered, from Original Living Trees.  Choices include Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Scotch pine, and Sequoia. After the holidays the trees will be planted in a park or a forest. 

In San Francisco, Friends of the Urban Forest, offers a similar program.  After the holidays the trees are planted on City streets.

Place your order asap, though, as both organizations have a limited number of trees and an early December cutoff.

If you know of other cities that have similar programs, let us know.