Home

            Christmas is not the only holiday where plants are used as powerful symbols, but the number and variety of plant symbols is probably greater than for any other holiday.  From the holly and the ivy to the Christmas tree and mistletoe, the properly decorated holiday home is converted into a little piece of the outdoors.

 

The Christmas Tree

            The history of the tradition of the Christmas tree dates as far back as 1200 BC to the pagan observation of the Winter Solstice by various cultural groups.  One of these celebrations, called Yule, was regularly observed by the Druids and other Northern European peoples.  Tree decorating was one of the many customs of Yule.

            The origins of the "Christian" Christmas tree may well go back to the introduction of decorated trees in the Christian mystery plays which were a popular teaching tool in the Middle Ages.  The first of these trees was probably a fir tree and it was decorated with apples.  It was referred to as the Paradise tree and represented both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the two trees that Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden.  Gradually, Paradise trees began to show up in churches and homes and became associated with the Christmas celebration.  In time, bread, fruit, and candles were also put on the tree.

            Others date the origin of the Christmas tree to a legend about St. Boniface (AD 772), an early missionary from England to Germany.  One day he came upon some men preparing to cut a large oak tree.  St. Boniface felled the tree with one blow and the tree split open revealing a beautiful, young fir tree with its branches pointing to Heaven.  He told them it was a holy tree, the Christ Child's tree, and instructed them to take such trees into their homes and surround them with gifts and other decorations to remind them of God.

            The first Christmas trees in America were introduced by German and English immigrants.  Because the apples traditionally hung on the trees were too heavy for most trees, glass balls were produced to take their place.  A star was often placed on the top of the tree to represent the star over Bethlehem.  Over time the decorations have gotten even more elaborate, and now we add tinsel, colored lights, flags, and many other things.  Following St. Boniface's advice we also surround them with gifts, symbolizing our love for one another.


Caring for your Tree


            A few tips will help to keep your tree fresh when you are ready to bring your Christmas tree into your home.  You should cut approximately ½" from the base of the truck.  Fit your tree to your stand and fill with water.  Make sure to keep your stand full of water throughout the holiday season.  A Christmas tree may take up to a gallon of water the first twenty four hours and several pints each day thereafter.  Keeping the tree in water is the most important part of Christmas tree care.  Special preservatives such as sugar, aspirin, or cola are not needed to preserve freshness.  All that is needed is to keep the base of the tree covered at all times with plain, clean tap water.  Christmas trees should NOT be placed near fireplaces, heaters, furnace vents, or television sets.  Light cords and connections used on the tree must be in good working order, and lights should always be unplugged when leaving home or going to bed.  Your Christmas tree has uses after the holiday season.  Place it in the garden or backyard for use as a bird feeder; orange slices, bread, and suet hung from the tree will attract birds and brighten up the winter landscape.  In addition, your tree is biodegradable; its branches and trunks may be removed and used as mulch in your garden. Branch tips and needles provide aromatic stuffing for sachets.

 

Forth's Christmas Trees

            The superb Christmas trees displayed in our store are from the same local tree farm that we also sell trees from. These striking Fraser fir and Balsam trees are always top quality. We also offer custom flocking service so you can always have a white Christmas.  Call us today for information or stop by the store to see our trees on display!


<<-- Back to Petal Talk  Email to a friend