Original photo by onurdongel/ istock
Christmas trees are perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the winter holiday season, so it’s no wonder that Americans make them a focus of the holiday. Whether you buy one from a tree lot or cut your own, nearly 30 million evergreens are sold every year in the lead-up to Christmas, and that’s just a fraction of the 350 million that are growing on Christmas tree farms throughout the U.S. Read on for 10 more facts about Christmas trees, from their origins to how they’re beneficial all year long.
Two Countries Claim To Be the Site of the First Decorated Tree
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when Christmas trees became a symbol of winter celebrations. While some historians believe they’re an ancient pagan symbol, others suggest they may not be as old as we think. The neighboring countries of Latvia and Estonia both lay claim to being the home of the first decorated Christmas tree, and both countries point to the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a guild for merchants and traders, as proof. Members of the guild kick-started the Lenten season with tree decorating and burning in city marketplaces starting in the 15th century, though historians say there’s no conclusive evidence that these were the world’s first Christmas tree decorations.
Historians Give Germany Credit for the Christmas Tree Tradition
Regardless of the debate between Latvia and Estonia, and the fact that evergreen trees were the centerpieces of ancient solstice celebrations, many historians attribute the modern tradition of decorating an indoor tree to German culture. Researchers point to 17th-century Strasbourg, a French city that was once part of Germany, and which is thought to be home to the oldest Christmas tree market. Writings from 1605 record what historians believe is also the first indoor Christmas tree there, decorated with apples, roses, and sweet treats.
The First Artificial Christmas Trees Were Made From Feathers
It only seems right that the creators of the modern Christmas tree would also create the first artificial version. By the 19th century, demand for holiday trees had caused issues in the German lumber industry, making room for sap-free alternatives to emerge. The first artificial trees were produced in Germany during the 1880s, and commonly made from goose feathers (although turkey, chicken, or swan feathers dyed green were also used). The plumes were attached to metal wires to form delicate branches that got their lift from a wooden base.
British Royals Helped Popularize Christmas Trees
German immigrants helped spread the Christmas tree tradition throughout the world, though it wasn’t especially well received until the British royal family got involved. Many Puritan communities in the American colonies outlawed the decorations (and even Christmas celebrations themselves) in part because of their pagan associations. Across the Atlantic, the German-born Queen Charlotte, wife of British King George III, introduced the tradition of Christmas trees to her adopted country during the late 18th century. Two generations later, Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, fueled the tradition when images of their family and decorated tree hit London newsstands in 1848.
The White House Didn’t Have a Christmas Tree Until 1889
The 2023 holiday decorations at the White House include 98 Christmas trees, but the Executive Mansion hasn’t always been bedecked by firs this time of year. It wasn’t until 1889, during President Benjamin Harrison’s administration, that a Christmas tree first appeared on the White House grounds. Just five years later, President Grover Cleveland became the first President to swap candles for electric tree lights, and it took another three decades before Calvin Coolidge lit the country’s first national Christmas tree in 1923.
Christmas Trees Grow for About 7 Years
Even with ample amounts of water, freshly cut Christmas trees have a relatively short life span, lasting between four and six weeks after harvest. However, it takes most Christmas trees years before they’re ready to leave the tree farm. Some species, like Fraser firs, can take up to 14 years to reach a desirable height of 6 to 7 feet, while Leyland cypress trees can grow as much as 3 feet per year. On average, Christmas trees move from the sapling stage to fully decorated displays in about seven years.
More Interesting Reads
More Than Half of a Christmas Tree’s Weight Comes From Water
Hydration is key to keeping a Christmas tree in tip-top shape, both before and after it’s cut. The average Christmas tree weighs between 50 and 70 pounds, and upon harvest, half that weight comes from water the tree has absorbed. Freshly cut trees are heavy drinkers — just like when they were still rooted — and require about a gallon of water a day to stay green.
Oregon Grows More Christmas Trees Than Any Other State
The U.S. is home to around 1 million acres of Christmas tree farms, scattered throughout every single state (including Hawaii). One state, however, is known for being the country’s top producer: Oregon. Tree farmers there grow 31% of the U.S. holiday tree crop on more than 1,000 farms, totaling 4.5 million trees sold in the state each year.
Some Farms Use Helicopters to Harvest Christmas Trees
Big box stores aren’t the only retailers that feel a holiday crunch; Christmas tree farms do, too, with time-sensitive tree chopping that starts in early November and lasts just five to six weeks. The job can be tricky because of the physical labor involved in trimming, cutting, and moving trees off the farm, which is why some businesses turn to heavy-duty machinery, such as helicopters, for help. After cutting batches of trees, farmers bundle between 12 and 14 trees together with rope, then secure them to hooked lines hung from a helicopter. Pilots then deliver the haul to another location where the trees can be loaded onto trucks going to market. Some farmers say using helicopters to do the heavy lifting is five times more efficient than “mud harvesting,” aka dragging cut trees through grass and mud.
Christmas Trees Produce Tons of Oxygen
Christmas trees don’t just brighten up the dark nights of early winter — they also help provide the oxygen we need to breathe. Before they’re cut, Christmas trees function just like any other tree, absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases, and releasing oxygen into their environment. One tree can absorb about 1 ton of carbon dioxide during its time growing, and one planted acre of Christmas trees generates enough oxygen for 18 people every day — a reason to celebrate Christmas conifers all year long.
Nicole Garner Meeker is a writer and editor based in St. Louis. Her history, nature, and food stories have also appeared at Mental Floss and Better Report.
top picks from the optimism network
Interesting Facts is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
