Christmas tree
christmas tree decorated tree usually evergreen conifer spruce pine fir artificial tree similar appearance associated celebration christmas custom developed central europe particularly germany livonia estonia latvia protestant christian brought decorated tree home tree traditionally decorated rose made colored paper apple wafer tinsel sweetmeat moravian christian began illuminate christmas tree candle often replaced christmas light advent electrification today wide variety traditional modern ornament garland bauble tinsel candy cane angel star might placed top tree represent angel gabriel star bethlehem respectively nativity edible item gingerbread chocolate sweet also popular tied hung tree branch ribbon christmas tree historically regarded custom lutheran church catholic church erect vatican christmas tree western christian tradition christmas tree variously erected day first day advent even late christmas eve depending country custom faith hold unlucky remove christmas decoration christmas tree twelfth night taken day appropriate candlemas latter end christmasepiphany season denomination christmas tree sometimes compared yuletree especially discussion folkloric origin modern christmas tree originated central europe baltic state particularly estonia germany livonia latvia renaissance early modern europe thcentury origin sometimes associated protestant christian reformer martin luther said first added lighted candle evergreen tree christmas tree first recorded used german lutheran th century record indicating christmas tree placed cathedral strasbourg leadership protestant reformer martin bucer moravian christian put lighted candle tree earliest known firmly dated representation christmas tree keystone sculpture private home turckheim alsace part holy roman empire german nation today part france date modern christmas tree related tree paradise medieval mystery play given december commemoration name day adam eve various country play tree decorated apple representing fruit tree knowledge good evil thus original sin christ took away round white wafer represent eucharist redemption used setting play like christmas crib paradise tree later placed home apple replaced round object shiny red bauble fir tree decorated apple served central prop paradise play kind folk religious drama often performed december prop called paradise tree researcher believe forerunner christmas tree end middle age early predecessor appears referred th century regiment cistercian alcobaça monastery portugal regiment local highsacristans cistercian order refers may considered oldest reference christmas tree note put christmas branch scilicet christmas eve look large branch green laurel shall reap many red orange place branch come laurel specifically seen every orange shall put candle hang branch rope pole shall candle high altar source offered connection symbolism first documented christmas tree germany around tree prechristian tradition though claim disputed according encyclopædia britannica use evergreen tree wreath garland symbolize eternal life custom ancient egyptian chinese hebrew tree worship common among pagan european survived conversion christianity scandinavian custom decorating house barn evergreen new year scare away devil setting tree bird christmas time commonly believed ancient roman used decorate house evergreen tree celebrate saturnalia although historical record poem epithalamium catullus tell god decorating home peleus tree including laurel cypress later libanius tertullian chrysostom speak use evergreen tree adorn christian house viking saxon worshiped tree story saint boniface cutting donar oak illustrates pagan practice th century among german later folk version story add detail evergreen tree grew place felled oak telling triangular shape reminds humanity trinity point heaven estonia latvia germany custom erecting decorated tree winter time traced christmas celebration renaissanceera guild northern germany livonia first evidence decorated tree associated christmas day tree guildhall decorated sweet enjoyed apprentice child livonia presentday estonia latvia brotherhood blackhead erected tree holiday guild house reval tallinn riga last night celebration leading holiday tree taken town hall square member brotherhood danced around bremen guild chronicle report small tree decorated apple nut date pretzel paper flower erected guildhouse benefit guild member child collected dainty christmas day pastor chronicler balthasar russow chronica der provinz lyfflandt wrote established tradition setting decorated spruce market square young men went flock maiden woman first sang danced set tree aflame protestant reformation tree seen house upperclass protestant family counterpart catholic christmas crib transition guild hall bourgeois family home protestant part germany ultimately give rise modern tradition developed th th century presentday church home protestant catholic feature christmas crib christmas tree poland poland folk tradition dating back old slavic prechristian custom suspending branch fir spruce pine ceiling rafter called podłaźniczka time koliada winter festival branch decorated apple nut acorn star made straw recent time decoration also included colored paper cutout wycinanki wafer cooky christmas bauble according old pagan belief branch power linked good harvest prosperity custom practiced peasant early th century particularly region lesser poland upper silesia often branch hung wigilia dinner table christmas eve beginning midth century tradition time almost completely replaced later german practice decorating standing christmas tree adoption european nobility early th century custom became popular among nobility spread royal court far russia introduced fanny von arnstein popularized princess henrietta nassauweilburg christmas tree reached vienna congress vienna custom spread across austria following year france first christmas tree introduced duchesse dorléans denmark newspaper company claim first attested christmas tree lit countess wilhemine holsteinborg aging countess told story first danish christmas tree danish writer han christian andersen published fairy tale called firtree recounting fate fir tree used christmas tree adoption country region germany early th century custom become common town upper rhineland yet spread rural area wax candle expensive item time found attestation late th century along lower rhine area roman catholic majority christmas tree largely regarded protestant custom result remained confined upper rhineland relatively long period time custom eventually gain wider acceptance beginning around way prussian official emigrated following congress vienna th century christmas tree taken expression german culture gemütlichkeit especially among emigrant overseas decisive factor winning general popularity german army decision place christmas tree barrack military hospital francoprussian war start th century christmas tree appear inside church time new brightly lit form slovenia early slovenian custom dating back around th century suspend tree either upright upsidedown well corner dinner table backyard fence modestly decorated fruit decorated german brewer peter luelsdorf brought first christmas tree current tradition slovenia set small brewery inn ljubljana slovenian capital german official craftsman merchant quickly spread tradition among bourgeois population tree typically decorated walnut golden apple carob candle first catholic majority rejected custom considered typical protestant tradition however tradition almost unknown rural population world war decorating tree became common first decorated christmas market organized ljubljana world war ii yugoslavia period spruce tree set public place town square market political reason replaced fir tree symbol socialism slavic mythology strongly associated loyalty courage dignity however spruce retained popularity slovenian home year came back public place independence britain although tradition decorating church home evergreen christmas long established custom decorating entire small tree unknown britain th century germanborn queen charlotte introduced christmas tree party gave child custom first spread much beyond royal family queen victoria child familiar tree placed room every christmas journal christmas eve delighted yearold princess wrote dinner went drawing room near dining room two large round table placed two tree hung light sugar ornament present placed round tree year following victoria marriage german cousin prince albert custom became even widespread wealthier middleclass family followed fashion newspaper advertisement christmas tree make clear smart cachet german origin association child giftgiving illustrated book christmas tree describing use origin detail sale december january elizabeth fielding née fox strangways wrote lacock abbey william henry foxtalbot constance extremely busy preparing bohemian xmas tree made carolines description saw germany prince albert wrote must seek child echo ernest brother old time felt thought delight christmas tree less used boost trend given illustrated london news report picked paper described tree windsor castle detail showed main tree surrounded royal family cover fewer ten year adoption tradition middle upperclass home widespread northern provincial newspaper contained advert alluding casually well reporting accidental death woman whose dress caught fire lit taper christmas tree yet spread social scale though report berlin contrast situation every family britain christmas tree still preserve wealthy romantic use public entertainment charity bazaar hospital made increasingly familiar however charity set specifically ensure even poor child london slum never seen christmas tree would enjoy one year antigerman sentiment world war briefly reduced popularity effect shortlived mids use christmas tree spread class restriction importation foreign tree led rapid growth new industry growing christmas tree within britain became commercially viable due size demand number tree grown britain christmas market approximately eight million display home shop public space normal part christmas season georgia georgian traditional christmas tree called chichilaki made dried hazelnut walnut branch shaped form small coniferous tree palecolored ornament differ height cm meter ft chichilakis common guria samegrelo region georgia near black sea also found store around capital tbilisi georgian believe chichilaki resembles famous beard st basil great eastern orthodox church commemorates st basil january bahamas earliest reference christmas tree used bahamas date january associated anglican sunday school nassau new providence prayer sermon rev r swann teacher child st agnes accompanied st mary marched parsonage rev j h fisher front large christmas tree planted gratification delighted little one formed circle around singing come follow christmas tree gift decorated tree ornament child given ticket number matched gift appears typical way decorating tree bahamas christmas christmas tree put lady saloon royal victoria hotel respectable child neighbourhood tree ornamented gift child formed circle sung song oat bean gift later given child name santa claus north america tradition introduced north america winter hessian soldier stationed province québec – garrison colony american attack general friedrich adolf riedesel wife baroness von riedesel held christmas party officer sorel quebec delighting guest fir tree decorated candle fruit christmas tree became common united state america early th century dating late early watercolor sketchbook john lewis krimmel contain perhaps earliest depiction christmas tree american art representing family celebrating christmas eve moravian tradition first published image christmas tree appeared frontispiece stranger gift hermann bokum first mention christmas tree american literature story edition token atlantic souvenir titled new year day catherine maria sedgwick tell story german maid decorating mistress tree also woodcut british royal family christmas tree windsor castle initially published illustrated london news december copied united state christmas godeys lady book godeys copied exactly except removal queen tiara prince albert moustache remake engraving american scene republished godeys image became first widely circulated picture decorated evergreen christmas tree america art historian karal ann marling called queen victoria prince albert shorn royal trapping first influential american christmas tree folkculture historian alfred lewis shoemaker state america important medium spreading christmas tree decade – godeys lady book image reprinted putting christmas tree become even common america president benjamin harrison wife caroline put first white house christmas tree several city united state german connection lay claim country first christmas tree windsor lock connecticut claim hessian soldier put christmas tree imprisoned nodenreed house first christmas tree america also claimed easton pennsylvania german settler purportedly erected christmas tree diary matthew zahm lancaster pennsylvania recorded use christmas tree leading lancaster also lay claim first christmas tree america account credit charles follen german immigrant boston first introduce america custom decorating christmas tree august imgard german immigrant living wooster ohio cut blue spruce tree wood outside town wooster village tinsmith construct star placed tree house decorating paper ornament gilded nut kuchen german immigrant charles minnigerode accepted position professor humanity college william mary williamsburg virginia taught latin greek entering social life virginia tidewater minnigerode introduced german custom decorating evergreen tree christmas home law professor st george tucker thereby becoming another many influence prompted american adopt practice time article christmas custom pennsylvania defines mostly german origin including christmas tree planted flower pot filled earth branch covered present chiefly confectionary younger member family article distinguishes custom different state however claiming new england generally christmas much celebrated whereas pennsylvania new york edward h johnson vice president edison electric light company predecessor con edison created first known electrically illuminated christmas tree home new york city johnson became father electric christmas tree light lyric sung united state german tune tannenbaum begin christmas tree giving rise mistaken idea german word tannenbaum fir tree mean christmas tree german word instead weihnachtsbaum state atheism soviet union christmas tree—along entire celebration christian holiday—was banned country october revolution however government introduced newyear spruce russian новогодняя ёлка romanized novogodnyaya yolka new year holiday became fully secular icon new year holiday example crowning star regarded symbol bethlehem star red star decoration figurine airplane bicycle space rocket cosmonaut character russian fairy tale produced tradition persists fall ussr new year holiday outweighing christmas january wide majority russian people peanut tv special charlie brown christmas influential pop culture surrounding christmas tree aluminum christmas tree popular early u satirized tv special came seen symbolizing commercialization christmas term charlie brown christmas tree describing poorlooking malformed little tree also derives tv special based appearance charlie brown christmas tree present public christmas tree since early th century become common many city town department store put public christmas tree outdoors macys great tree atlanta since rockefeller center christmas tree new york city large christmas tree victoria square adelaide use fire retardant allows many indoor public area place real tree compliant code licensed applicant fire retardant solution spray tree tag tree provide certificate inspection united state national christmas tree lit year since south lawn white house becoming part evolved major holiday event white house president jimmy carter lit crowning star atop tree honor american held hostage iran repeated except tree fully lit second one second day hostage captivity largest decorated christmas tree world put every year property national enquirer lantana florida tradition grew one spectacular celebrated event history southern florida discontinued death paper founder late city charity event called festival tree organized multiple tree decorated displayed giving christmas tree also often associated end hostility signing armistice city manchester england sent tree £ buy chocolate cake child muchbombarded town lille northern france case tree represent special commemorative gift trafalgar square london city oslo norway present tree people london token appreciation british support norwegian resistance world war ii boston united state tree gift province nova scotia thanks rapid deployment supply rescuer ammunition ship explosion leveled city halifax newcastle upon tyne england main civic christmas tree annual gift city bergen norway thanks part played soldier newcastle liberating bergen nazi occupation norway also annually gift christmas tree washington dc symbol friendship norway u expression gratitude norway help received u world war ii gallery public christmas tree around world setting taking christmas tree associated specific date liturgically done hanging green ceremony many area become customary set one christmas tree advent sunday first day advent season traditionally however christmas tree brought decorated evening christmas eve december end advent season start twelve day christmastide customary christian many locality remove christmas decoration last day twelve day christmastide fall january—epiphany eve twelfth night although christian country remove candlemas conclusion extended christmasepiphany season epiphanytide according first tradition fail remember remove christmas decoration epiphany eve must leave untouched candlemas second opportunity remove failure observe custom considered inauspicious christmas ornament decoration usually made glass metal wood ceramic used decorate christmas tree first decorated tree adorned apple white candy cane pastry shape star heart flower glass bauble first made lauscha germany also garland glass bead tin figure could hung tree popularity decoration fueled production glass figure made highly skilled artisan clay mold tinsel several type garland ribbon commonly used christmas tree decoration silvered saranbased tinsel introduced later delicate moldblown painted colored glass christmas ornament specialty glass factory thuringian forest especially lauscha late th century since become large industry complete famousname designer bauble another common decoration consisting small hollow glass plastic sphere coated thin metallic layer make reflective coating thin pigmented polymer order provide coloration lighting electric light christmas light united kingdom fairy light commonly done treetopper typically angel star completes decoration late homemade white christmas tree made wrapping strip cotton batting around leafless branch creating appearance snowladen tree popularized hollywood film late flocking popular west coast united state home flocking kit could used vacuum cleaner tree sprayed fluffy white flocking simulate snow type ornament earliest legend origin fir tree becoming christian symbol date back ad involving saint boniface evangelizing germany said pagan gathering geismar group people dancing decorated oak tree sacrifice baby name thor saint boniface took axe called name jesus one swipe managed take entire oak tree crowd astonishment behind fallen tree baby fir tree boniface said let tree symbol true god leaf ever green die tree needle pointed heavenward shaped triangularly representing holy trinity decorating christmas tree many individual place star top tree symbolizing star bethlehem became popular people also use angel top christmas tree order symbolize angel mentioned account nativity jesus additionally context christian celebration christmas evergreen christmas tree symbolizes eternal life candle light tree represent christ light world year million christmas tree produced america million produced europe grower america third choose cut farm year estimated american spent billion christmas tree climbed billion natural tree billion artificial tree europe million tree worth € billion billion harvested annually commonly used specie fir abies benefit shedding needle dry well retaining good foliage color scent specie genus also used northern europe commonly used norway spruce picea abies original tree generally cheapest silver fir abies alba nordmann fir abies nordmanniana noble fir abies procera serbian spruce picea omorika scot pine pinus sylvestris stone pine pinus pinea small tabletop tree swiss pine pinus cembra north america central america south america australia commonly used douglas fir pseudotsuga menziesii balsam fir abies balsamea fraser fir abies fraseri grand fir abies grandis guatemalan fir abies guatemalensis noble fir abies procera nordmann fir abies nordmanniana red fir abies magnifica white fir abies concolor pinyon pine pinus edulis jeffrey pine pinus jeffreyi scot pine pinus sylvestris stone pine pinus pinea small tabletop tree norfolk island pine araucaria heterophylla paraná pine araucaria angustifolia young resembles pine tree several specie used lesser extent lesstraditional conifer sometimes used giant sequoia leyland cypress monterey cypress eastern juniper various type spruce tree also used christmas tree including blue spruce less commonly white spruce spruce begin lose needle rapidly upon cut spruce needle often sharp making decorating uncomfortable virginia pine still available tree farm southeastern united state however winter color faded longneedled eastern white pine also used though unpopular christmas tree part country owing also faded winter coloration limp branch making decorating difficult lightest ornament norfolk island pine sometimes used particularly oceania australia specie genus casuarina allocasuarina also occasionally used christmas tree far common tree pinus radiata monterey pine adenanthos sericeus albany woolly bush commonly sold southern australia potted living christmas tree hemlock specie generally considered unsuitable christmas tree due poor needle retention inability support weight light ornament tree frequently referred living christmas tree sold live root soil often plant nursery stored nursery planter planted later outdoors enjoyed often decorated year decade others produced container sometimes topiary porch patio however done improperly combination root loss caused digging indoor environment high temperature low humidity detrimental tree health additionally warmth indoor climate bring tree natural winter dormancy leaving little protection put back outside cold outdoor climate often christmas tree large attraction living animal including mouse spider thus survival rate tree low however done properly replanting provides higher survival rate european tradition prefers open aspect naturally grown unsheared tree north america outside western area tree often wildharvested public land preference closesheared tree denser foliage less space hang decoration past christmas tree often harvested wild forest almost commercially grown tree farm almost christmas tree united state grown christmas tree farm cut ten year growth new tree planted according united state department agriculture agriculture census farm producing conifer cut christmas tree market america square kilometre acre planted christmas tree life cycle christmas tree seed metre ft tree take depending specie treatment cultivation eight twelve year first seed extracted cone harvested older tree seed usually grown nursery sold christmas tree farm age three four year remaining development tree greatly depends climate soil quality well cultivation tree tended christmas tree farmer one issue farmer face destruction pine tree pest piniperda first artificial christmas tree developed germany th century though earlier example exist tree made using goose feather dyed green one response german continued deforestation feather christmas tree ranged widely size small centimeter tree large meter tree sold department store often tree branch tipped artificial red berry acted candle holder year style artificial christmas tree evolved become popular usbased addis brush company created first artificial christmas tree made brush bristle another type artificial tree aluminum christmas tree first manufactured chicago later manitowoc wisconsin majority tree produced modern artificial christmas tree made plastic recycled used packaging material polyvinyl chloride pvc approximately artificial christmas tree using virgin suspension pvc resin despite plastic artificial tree recyclable biodegradable trend developed early included optical fiber christmas tree come two major variety one resembling traditional christmas tree one dallasbased company offer holographic mylar tree many hue treeshaped object made material cardboard glass ceramic material found use tabletop decoration upsidedown artificial christmas tree became popular short time originally introduced marketing gimmick allowed consumer get closer ornament sale retail store opened floor space product artificial tree became increasingly popular late th century user artificial christmas tree assert convenient reusable much cheaper natural alternative also considered much safer natural tree significant fire hazard artificial christmas tree sale u jumped million million currently estimated around christmas tree used united state artificial number united kingdom indicated around artificial tree debate environmental impact artificial tree ongoing generally natural tree grower contend artificial tree environmentally harmful natural counterpart however trade group american christmas tree association claim pvc used christmas tree chemically mechanically stable affect human health excellent recyclable property live tree typically grown crop replanted rotation cutting often providing suitable habitat wildlife alternately live tree donated livestock farmer find tree uncontaminated chemical additive excellent fodder case management christmas tree crop result poor habitat since sometimes involves heavy input pesticide concern raised arborist people cutting old rare conifer keteleeria evelyniana christmas tree real cut tree used short time recycled used mulch wildlife habitat used prevent erosion real tree carbonneutral emit carbon dioxide cut disposed absorb growing however emission occur farming activity transportation independent lifecycle assessment study conducted firm expert sustainable development state natural tree generate kg lb greenhouse gas every year based purchasing km mi home whereas artificial tree produce kg lb lifetime people use living christmas potted tree several season providing longer life cycle tree living christmas tree purchased rented local market grower rental picked holiday purchased tree planted owner use donated local tree adoption urban reforestation service smaller younger tree may replanted season following year running next christmas allowing tree carry growth use lead stabilizer chinese imported tree issue concern among politician scientist recent year study found general artificial tree pose little health risk lead contamination exist worstcase scenario major health risk young child exist united state environmental protection agency report found pvc artificial christmas tree aged began degrade report determined fifty million artificial tree united state approximately twenty million nine year old point dangerous lead contamination level reached professional study lifecycle assessment real artificial christmas tree revealed one must use artificial christmas tree least twenty year leave environmental footprint small natural christmas tree marxistleninist doctrine state atheism soviet union foundation christmas celebrations—along religious holidays—were prohibited result soviet antireligious campaign league militant atheist encouraged school pupil campaign christmas tradition among christmas tree well christian holiday including easter league established antireligious holiday st month replacement christmas tree prohibited accordance soviet antireligious legislation people supplanted former christmas custom new year tree tree brought back new year tree became secular religious holiday pope john paul ii introduced christmas tree custom vatican although first disapproved place centre roman catholic church vatican christmas tree become integral part vatican christmas celebration pope benedict xvi spoke part normal christmas decoration catholic home pope john paul called christmas tree symbol christ ancient custom said exalts value life winter evergreen becomes sign undying life reminds christian tree life image christ supreme gift god humanity previous year said beside crib christmas tree twinkling light reminds u birth jesus tree life blossomed anew desert humanity crib tree precious symbol hand time true meaning christmas catholic church official book blessing service blessing christmas tree home episcopal church anglican family prayer book imprimatur rt rev catherine roskam anglican communion long ritual titled blessing christmas tree well blessing crèche use church home family service public liturgy blessing christmas tree common christian denomination well chrismon tree find origin lutheran christian tradition though used many christian denomination catholic church methodist church used decorate church liturgical season advent period christmastide christian church display traditional christmas tree sanctuary city boston renamed spruce tree used decorate boston common holiday tree rather christmas tree name change reversed city threatened several lawsuit medium related christmas tree wikimedia common