They take six months to two years to biodegrade.

Marketing director Joanna Passarelli says the company sold $40,000 worth of banana-sheaf or bamboo coffins to funeral homes last year. At least 14 funeral homes around the country offer them.

Serial tree arsonist plagues Galveston

GALVESTON, Texas — Galveston officials are investigating the torching of 30 palm trees in the last two months.

"What we've got on our hands, a serial tree arsonist, I've never seen before," said Galveston Fire Marshal Gilbert Robinson. "I've talked to colleagues of mine, and that's the first they've heard of setting palm trees on fire."

Robinson said the calls reporting burning trees have recently increased in frequency. Tree service company owner Greg West is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to charges.