Lutron Gets Seriously Green

It’s much more than the potted plants you see some vendors use in their booths as decorations. Indeed, it’s a symbol from Lutron highlighting the company’s commitment to energy saving lighting control.

The tree is a Cleveland Pear tree adorned with pledges from integrators that will fund energy research. Installers are being asked to pledge $25 of their Lutron co-op funds to Lutron’s green campaign, with proceeds donated to a school to fund energy research. The tree itself will be planted on September 10 at the Denver School of Science and Technology, an institution dedicated to providing a diverse student body with a liberal arts high school education with a science and technology focus.

Some of the dealers have pledged much more than $25, even as high as $250. The total donation, and the school, will be announced during the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago, Illinois, November 7-9, 2007.

Pledge cards, which are printed on recycled paper by the way, can be picked up and completed at the Lutron booth #216.

Lutron is also guiding dealers on how to “go green.” The company is distributing a six-page gatefold brochure itemizing 10 energy-saving tips, including:

- Dimming
- Fluorescent lighting control
- Customized preset light and shade control
- Occupancy sensors
- LED lighting, and more.

About the Tree

The Cleveland Pear Tree (Pyrus calleryana, Cleveland Select) has more blooms than any other flowering pear tree and displays evenly-branched limbs with pyramidal form. This deciduous tree is a vigorous growing medium-sized tree with masses of white flowers in spring.

This is an excellent street tree with beautiful purplish-red fall color. It has an attractive upright oval form and glossy green leaves. The Cleveland Select Pear reaches a height of 30 feet and width of 15 feet. This pear has a superior branch structure that withstands ice and wind damage. It is fruitless and has few pest problems. It tolerates urban conditions, and heavy clay soils.