The History of Christmas Trees

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Who hasn’t heard the holiday classic, O Tannenbaum (translated to O Christmas Tree from its traditional German carol roots)? It’s a staple of any 24-hour holiday music radio station. Did you ever wonder why you bring an evergreen into your home each Christmas and decorate it with twinkling lights colorful ornaments? We thought it would be fun to explore and share why this tradition has become central to the Christmas holiday!

Many cultures throughout time have cherished evergreen trees, from ancient Egyptians to Druids. Ancient Romans celebrated their god of agriculture, Saturnus, by decorating their houses with greens and lights, and exchanging gifts. Germans and Scandinavians of the Middle Ages placed evergreens inside and/or outside their homes to symbolize hope for the coming spring.

Germans are credited with starting the more current Christmas tree tradition, while Christian theologian Martin Luther is credited with first decorating evergreens. Ancient lore put Luther in the forest one day admiring the beauty of a stand of evergreens dusted with snow. The scene so struck him, he decided to set up his own fir tree in his home, where he shared the story with his children and decorated the tree with candles to honor Christ’s birth.

The Christmas tree tradition crossed the Atlantic Ocean with Hessian mercenary soldiers about the time of the American Revolution. Some credit German immigrants in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The buyer’s market for Christmas trees started in 1851 when a Catskill farmer used his ox sled to haul evergreens into New York City, where he promptly sold out his inventory. By the turn of the century, one in five American homes displayed a Christmas tree. Twenty years later, the practice was nearly universal.

Did You Know?
The most popular variety of Christmas tree in the U.S. is the Scotch pine. It accounts for nearly half of all trees sold. Douglas fir is next with other popular varieties being noble firs, white pine and balsam firs.

Many times early Christmas trees were balsam firs. Why? Their twigs resemble crosses.

Below is a video of Christmas trees from our annual Alumni Club trip to the Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. Enjoy!