8 Things You Never Even Knew About Christmas Trees

Once December rolls around, Christmas trees pop up in living rooms and public spaces nationwide. Though their twinkling lights, dazzling ornaments, and elegant garlands are synonymous with the holidays, many Americans don’t know the origin of the festive tradition. Before you decorate your evergreen this season, check out these 8 interesting facts about Christmas trees.

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Pagan Roots

Wikimedia Commons; “Happy Christmas” by Viggo Johansen

Though today they’re associated with Christmas, decorated evergreens actually have pagan roots. Ancient Romans and Egyptians adorned their home with the trees for winter, and the practice continued throughout Europe as a ritual for the winter solstice. Finally, in the 16th century, believers in Germanic countries began making the evergreens part of their Christmas celebrations.

Related: Christmas Miracle: 8 Simple Fixes for All Your Tree Troubles

Christmas Tree Lots

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After hearing that city folk
would venture to the country for Christmas trees, entrepreneurial logger Mark Carr came up with a brilliant plan. In 1851, he traveled with his sons from the Catskills to New York City with a few dozen evergreens in tow. The haul sold out within a day, and Christmas tree lots were born.

Related: 12 Christmas Tree Decorating Fails

Growing Conditions

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Christmas trees can be grown in all 50 states, including Arizona and Hawaii. The top American producers of Christmas trees are Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan. Together, these three states harvested more than 12 million Christmas trees in 2012.

Related: 10 Holiday Ornaments to DIY with Everyday Stuff

The National Christmas Tree

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In November 1923, the first National Christmas Tree was erected in Washington, D.C., at the request of the District of Columbia Public Schools. President Calvin Coolidge lit that tree, a balsam fir. In 1954, smaller trees representing all the U.S. states and territories were added to the surrounding “Pathway of Peace”—a tradition that lives on today.

Related: Winter Retreats of Presidents Past and Present

The Rockefeller Center Tree

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Rockefeller Center in New York City first displayed a Christmas tree in 1931. The complex was under construction, and workers pooled their money to buy and decorate a 20-foot fir. The tradition continues today, and the Rockefeller tree is perhaps the most famous in the world (although during the Second World War, the annual Rockefeller Christmas tree stood unlit due to blackout regulations).

Related: 7 Reasons Not to Chuck Your Tree After Xmas

The Tallest Tree

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The tallest natural Christmas tree on record was a 221-foot-tall Douglas fir, which decorated the Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington, in December 1950.

Related: 9 Tips and Tricks to Cut the Christmas Clutter

The Average Price

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In 2016, consumers spent an average of $74.50 on their evergreen; that’s more than double the average Christmas tree cost in 2008. The National Christmas Tree Association attributes the price increase to the recent recession. Fewer people bought trees, which led to an oversupply in the market and a decrease in the number of new seedlings planted.

Related: 15 Times Outdoor Xmas Decorations Went Too Far

Recycling Methods

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Christmas trees may be too big for your compost pile, but many communities collect trees curbside or at a drop-off location. The trees are either turned into mulch for parks and playgrounds, or used for erosion prevention and weed abatement. Learn more about recycling your tree at realchristmastrees.org or earth911.com, or by contacting your local sanitation or parks department.

Related: 10 Ways to Decorate Your Xmas Tree for Under $10