Oh Christmas Tree . . .

December is upon us, and it’s time to start gearing up for the holidays. One of the hallmarks of the holiday season for our household is the decorating of the Christmas tree. Usually around the first weekend of December is when we start the ritual. When our children were younger, we always opted for a “live” tree as opposed to the vinyl variety.

We chose to cut our own tree for several reasons. Local tree farms provide a unique habitat for animals in an agricultural landscape that is dominated by annual species such as corn and soybeans. By supporting local tree growers, we were insuring that this more permanent habitat of young tree growth was maintained. Besides, it allowed us to take part in an annual activity that helped get us into the holiday spirit. There are merits to the plastic tree… a tree isn’t cut, it’s reusable, it always looks the same. As our children grew up, I have to admit that we reverted to the artificial tree, but those memories of cutting the tree on the tree farm are still there.

I have often wondered where the Christmas tree concept stemmed from (sorry about the pun). It turns out that the origin of the Christmas Tree is somewhat of a mystery. Some attribute the origin of the Christmas Trees to ancient druids of Northern Europe who decorated their sacred oaks in celebration of the Solstice– when the increasing darkness of winter gives way to a time when the amount of daylight begins to lengthen. Others feel that the origins are due to Martin Luther’s practice of placing candles in conifers in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem. Perhaps it was a melding of both ideas. A Christian carrying on an ancient religion’s way of celebrating something that was monumental to both cultures. By melding together two different religious views, we can see that the true meaning of The Christmas Spirit is instilled in this seasonal tradition.

The first historical account of a Christmas Tree – one used exclusively to celebrate the holiday – comes from Germany in 1604. The first record in North America dates back to 1747 in the Moravian community of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Most of these Christmas Trees were not actually trees at all. They were wooden pyramids decorated with pine boughs. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s that trees became commonplace. Along with tradition came the entrepreneur. In the 1860s, manufactured ornaments were imported from Germany, and in 1876 the first manufactured tree stands appeared. Given Yankee ingenuity, and a good dose of puritan thrift, this tree stand was marketed as a two holiday item – it doubled as a flag stand on the Fourth of July.

Such are its origins, but what about the tree itself? If you buy from local growers, you have to take what the local climate will allow. Around Central Illinois, you can expect White, Virginia and Scotch Pines, along with several species of spruce. Many of the trees bought at the roadside stand come from Michigan and northern Wisconsin. The Boreal climate there allows for such species as Balsam Fir and Douglas Fir to add to the usual assortment of pines and spruces.

In the 1860s the tree of choice was the cedar. It was chosen for its availability and fragrance. This species was soon eclipsed by other species because of the cedar’s habit of dropping needles all too soon. It was replaced by the Hemlock and then pines were preferred, and finally the Balsam Fir became dominant in the 1890s. Non-evergreen trees were also used. Among the most mentioned was the sassafras. The artificial tree was made available by Sears, Roebuck, and Company in the 1880s.

To me, the Christmas Tree signifies more than an icon for the holiday. Within the fragrant boughs springs a realization that nature has a part in our celebrations. In bringing a piece of nature within our home and giving it a focal role in the festivities, we can instill a sense of wonder within ourselves and our children.