Live Christmas Trees

Few things are ingrained in the Christmas psyche like the venerable Christmas tree. Across the globe in small towns, large cities, splendid homes and humble abodes, Christmas trees spark the holiday season and wonderment of children of all ages. While the tree has come to symbolize traditional Christmas celebrations, its origins are far deeper and reach back to Germanic tradition of the winter solstice, though now its adaptation for purely Christmas use is nearly universal. For many Christmas revelers no other tree will do except a live Christmas tree, no amount of artificial trimming and trappings will replace the scent, feel and look of a nature grown fresh Christmas tree. Until the mid 1800’s, when the first artificial tree was invented, there was no other choice. Live Christmas trees, harvested in the wild by individuals and enterprising entrepreneurs were brought to town squares and family homes. Once harvested, the trees were erected and displayed in celebration of the holiday season. In more recent times, trees are less harvested in the wild and more harvested as a cash crop on Christmas tree growing farms around the world. In North America it is estimated that 30 to 35 million fresh Christmas trees are harvested and sold each year.

The live Christmas tree tradition is deeply rooted in many organizations and is not soon to be extinguished. The United States executive branch tradition is to erect a live Christmas tree on the south lawn of the White House and have the President light the tree in a well publicized ceremony. In town squares across the United States large fresh cut Christmas trees are erected, decorated and illuminated in similar ceremonies. Live Christmas trees, the oldest form of the green Christmas traditions, seem to find their way into celebrations and traditions– it appears fresh cut Christmas trees will continue to do so regardless of alternative offerings and protest from those who say the use of fresh cut trees is an environmentally unfriendly practice.

Fresh Christmas trees serve as a reminder to us that there was a time when all things came from nature, mans intervention had not taken root in providing synthetic choices. The feel, smell and texture of a fresh cut live Christmas tree can not be duplicated.