Origins of the Christmas
Tree
Christmas Tree Facts
Choosing a Christmas Tree and Keeping it
Fresh
and a very special
story for Christmas Eve...
"Why
Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect... the Story of Small Pine"
Origins of the Christmas Tree
Every year over 37 million families in the United States make a real Christmas tree a focal point of their holiday celebrations, even though many of them have only a hazy notion of how this tradition came about.
Many religions, even in pre-Christian times, regarded the tree as a symbol of life. For example, in ancient Egypt, people would bring palm branches into their dwellings on the shortest day of the year to symbolize the triumph of life over death. Similarly, the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which celebrated Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture was observed, in part, by decorating homes with boughs of evergreens. Likewise, Druid priests were known to decorate oak trees with apples as part of the celebration of the winter solstice. This tradition carried over into medieval times, when an evergreen tree decorated with red apples became the symbol for the Feast of Adam and Eve, which was celebrated on December 24.
The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century. In Strasbourg, Germany (now part of France), families both rich and poor decorated fir trees with colored paper, fruits and sweets. The retail Christmas tree lot also dates back that far - in those times, older women would sell trees harvested from nearby forests.
The tradition spread through Europe and was brought to the United States by German settlers and by Hessian mercenaries paid to fight in the Revolutionary War. In 1804 U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) hauled trees from surrounding woods to their barracks at Christmas.
The popularity of the Christmas tree then proliferated. Charles Minnegrode introduced the custom of decorating trees in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1842. In 1851, Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds loaded with trees from the Catskills to the streets of New York and opened the first retail lot in the United States.
Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brought the Christmas tree tradition to the White House. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White House lawn.
Since 1966, members of the National Christmas Tree Association have presented a beautiful, fresh Christmas tree to the President and first family. This tree is displayed each year in the Blue Room of the White House.
Christmas trees are grown in all fifty of the United States... even in Alaska and Hawaii.
Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals.
For every live Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place.
There are about 1 million acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full- or part-time in the industry.
There are approximately 5,000 choose-and-cut farms in the U.S.
It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (6 feet), but the average growing time is 7 years.
Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina lead the nation in Christmas tree production..
The most popular Christmas trees include: Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Frasier Fir, Noble Fir, Scotch Pine, Virginia Pine, and White Pine.
Choosing the Perfect Tree & Keeping It Fresh
We all want to find a Christmas tree that's fresh enough to keep its needles through the holidays, but this isn't always easy, since some are harvested more than a month before and may already be drying out by the time you visit your local lot. To guarantee freshness, some people buy a "live" tree, which comes with its roots in a dirt ball. This can be planted in the ground come spring. You might also cut your tree yourself at a Christmas tree farm. Most people, however, buy a tree that has already been cut. Which variety holds up best? Here are how five best-selling trees compare:
Scotch Pine - Mostly grown in the North-central region, this dark-green pine is admired for its classic Christmas-tree looks and is the most popular variety sold. Advantages: Can hold on to its needles for more than four weeks even when shipped a long distance. Stiff branches make it great for hanging heavy ornaments. Though not as fragrant as fir trees, it will keep its aroma throughout the holiday season.
Balsam Fir - Native to the Northeast region and much of Canada, this fir has olive-green needles with white underside that give it a silvery cast. Advantages: Can hold on to its needles for about three weeks. Keeps its pleasant fragrance throughout the holiday season. Drawback: Unless it's grown in your area, choose another tree; long-distance shipping may cause needles to fall off when tree is placed in a warm room.
Douglas-Fir - Native to West Coast regions, from Canada to Mexico, this popular fir has long, deep-green needles with a slightly bluish cast. Advantages: Can hold on to its needles for up to three weeks. Keeps its potent fragrance throughout the season. Drawback: If shipped from the West Coast to a much colder climate, needles may freeze, then fall off when placed in a warm room. A good buy if you live in a moderate climate or the tree was grown nearby.
Eastern White Pine - Grows in the northern United States to northeastern Ohio, then southward along the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia. It's one of the fullest trees, thanks to long, soft needles and dense branches. Advantage: Can hold on to its needles for about three to four weeks. Drawbacks: Dries out faster than short-needle pine trees. Though not as fragrant as firs, keeps its aroma throughout the season.
Frasier Fir -. Native to the Appalachian Mountain regions of North Carolina and Tennessee, this dark-green tree with silver under-tones is gaining in popularity: It was the White House Christmas tree last year. Advantages: Can hold on to its needles for more than a month --longer than any fir. Won't lose its pleasant fragrance. Strong branches make it ideal for hanging heavy ornaments. Doesn't suffer from being shipped long distances.
Testing Your Tree for Freshness
1. Bend some branches and needles. Most types of Christmas trees should be pliable and spring back instead of breaking.
2. Grasp a branch and pull your hand toward the tip. If lots of needles fall off as the branch slips through your fingers, the tree is too dry.
3. Hold the tree upright, then pound its trunk on the ground a few times. If a lot of green needles fall out, the tree is dry.
Keeping it Fresh
When you get your tree home, saw about a half inch off the trunk, put the tree in its stand, and add water right away. The first time you fill the stand, use HOT water. A tree's sap quickly seals its cuts and prevents water from being absorbed. If you're not ready to decorate, set the freshly cut tree in a container of water in an unheated place, such as a garage. Check the water level frequently; trees can take in more than two quarts each day. If the tree is out of water for even a few hours, cut another half-inch from the trunk.
The Best Tree Stands
Choose one that can hold at least a half of water for a six-foot tree and more than a gallon for larger trees (water capacity will be noted on the packaging). The heavier the stand and the larger its circumference, the sturdier it is-and the less likely your tree will tip over. To securely grip the tree, the stand should have at least three bolts- preferably four-that screw into the trunk. They should he wide and sturdy with padded ends to provide a better grip on the tree.
Locating Your Tree
Choose a location for your tree that's away from any heat source, such as a heat register or grate. For obvious reasons, do not locate it near your fireplace. And please, even if it's part of your cultural tradition, never decorate a tree with burning candles!
Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect
THE LEGEND OF "SMALL PINE"
Long, long ago, in a land far away, lived a perfect little tree named Small Pine. Small Pine hoped to maintain its perfect form so it would be selected by the Queen as her Christmas tree. But as the warmhearted little tree gave shelter to birds, rabbits, and deer n the forest, its branches became damaged. Fortunately, the Queen had a different idea of perfection. The Queen, the Queen's family and all the villagers said that Small Pine was the finest Christmas tree yet. For in looking at its drooping, nibbled branches, they saw the protecting arm of a father or the comforting lap of a mother. And some, like the wise Queen, saw the love of Christ expressed on earth. So if you walk among evergreens today, you will find, along with rabbits, birds and other happy living things, many trees like Small Pine. You will see a drooping limb which gives cover, a gap offering a warm resting place, or branches ragged from feeding hungry animals. For, as have many of us, the trees have learned that living for the sake of others makes us most beautiful in the eyes of God.
Our thanks to the National Christmas Tree Association for some of the information on this page.
"Oh,
Tannenbaum"
