I think Jim isn't a good rolemodel for what OP is suggesting. Jim's pranks often walked a line where they were funny for the audience, but still a bit too mean for real life. After all, Dwight never seemed to enjoy the pranks, and that's really the crucial element of a practical joke.
On a related note. One of my favourite pranks happened in a game of Minecraft. Me and a friend were chatting and playing. He was fishing while I was mining, except I wasn't mining. I was waiting for the perfect moment to use an invisibility potion and snatch his fish in mid-air. He was so confused at first, until he heard my laughter, understood what was happening and had a good laugh as well.
Why not a fruit tree? There's so many to choose from. They come in all shapes and sizes, and it's much nicer to have a practical tree that gives you free food rather than a purely decorative plant.
Edit: Forgot to say that they're great for the bees and local ecology, too!