top of page
Older Than the Dinosaurs
Conifers, the plant family that includes firs, spruces and pines, first appeared more than 300 million years ago. That means their ancestors were growing on Earth before the first dinosaurs!
Their needles are specially designed to conserve water and survive difficult weather. Their familiar cone shape also helps snow slide from the branches instead of weighing them down.
Conifers do not produce flowers or fruit. Their seeds develop inside cones, which is where the name “conifer” comes from.
How They Became Christmas Trees
The recognizable Christmas tree developed in German-speaking Europe during the late Middle Ages. German families began bringing entire trees indoors and decorating them with nuts, cookies, paper flowers and candles.
The custom spread through Europe and eventually reached America with German immigrants. In 1848, a widely published picture of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children gathered around a decorated tree helped make the tradition enormously popular.
From Seedling to Christmas Morning
Today, most real Christmas trees are grown as farm crops rather than taken from wild forests.
Depending on the species and growing conditions, a six or seven foot Christmas tree usually requires around seven to ten years in the field. During that time, growers care for and shape each tree through years of sun, snow, wind and changing Michigan weather.
By the time your family brings one home, your tree may already be older than the children decorating it!
That means every Christmas tree carries three remarkable stories: one beginning more than 300 million years ago; the second beginning with a tiny seedling planted years before it reached your living room; leaving the third, which is the story you choose to create this Christmas season.
The Story of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree has a surprisingly long history—beginning millions of years before the bright Christmas trees that we all know today.
Why Evergreens Became Winter Symbols
Long before the Christmas traditions we do today existed, people brought evergreen branches into their homes during winter.
While other plants appeared dead or dormant, evergreens remained green. This made them natural symbols of endurance and the promise that spring would return after the coldest days of the year.
There was likely no single ancient tradition that created the Christmas tree. Instead, several winter customs gradually helped give evergreen trees their special meaning.
From Candles to Electric Lights
Early Christmas trees were illuminated with real candles. They looked beautiful, but they also created an obvious fire hazard.
In 1882, Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, decorated a revolving Christmas tree with 80 red, white and blue electric bulbs. It is considered the first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree, and it was revolving!
Electric lights remained expensive until preassembled sets became available in the early 1900s. Eventually, they replaced candles and allowed families to safely keep their trees glowing throughout the Christmas season.
bottom of page