The removal this past weekend of a 125-foot elm from Penn State’s University Park campus due to disease leaves the famous tree gone by not forgotten.

In a true measure of “sustainability,” wood from the almost 80 year old tree, will be used to make furniture, part of the university’s Penn State Elms collection. According to the website PennStateElmsCollection.com, “The Penn State Elms Collection is a distinctive line of fine furniture and frames created from American elm trees that once graced the Penn State University Park campus. These 287 majestic and landmark elms have been a living witness to more than 100 years of Penn State history, but today they are endangered due to elm yellows disease, which threatens to eliminate the elms from campus.”

The university says the trees “live on” through the collection, which includes: blanket chests, desks, tables, cabinets, frames and chairs.

And, according to the site, part of the money raised through sales will be used to replant trees on the campus.

What are some of the ways your company or university is showing its sustainability? I’d love to hear your ideas.

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