The Origin of the Christmas Tree

A Blue Norway Spruce tree planted by James Donegan in 1986.

Going back in time, evergreen trees first found their symbolism in ancient Egypt and Rome, where they were used after the winter solstice to decorate the house as a reminder of the spring time to come, in other words, the evergreen boughs were an expression of life overcoming the death of winter. Then, during the 1500s, Christians in Germany initiated the tradition of keeping a decorated evergreen tree inside to celebrate Christmas. The use of a Christmas tree to symbolize Christmas was hotly debated among clergymen for centuries because it was similar to the traditions used for pagan holidays which also took place in late December, and they argued that the tree distracted believers from the true symbol of life conquering death: Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the dispute, Christmas trees in the home continued to gain popularity for the next 500 years, especially when the monarchy in England made it a fashionable trend. At this point, Christmas trees became a symbol of wealth and prosperity in many European countries. In the 1700s, when America began to be colonized, German colonists in particular brought the Christmas tree tradition along with them.

Today, according to History.com, 100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry, including farmers tending to 1 million acres of Christmas tree farms, where 77 million pine trees are planted each year and then looked after for 6–8 years before they are mature enough to sell!

Instead of buying a cut Christmas tree that slowly dies as the holidays pass by, James Donegan recommends buying a live, potted evergreen tree then planting it after the holidays. He did this with his family’s first Christmas tree back in 1986 and the Blue Norway Spruce is still standing tall and proud in his front yard more than 30 years later.

What kind of memories could you and your family make and cherish by using a living evergreen tree this Christmas? Look for them at your local nursery!