I have become a fundamental part of the Christmas season in American homes, adorned with lights, ornaments and garland for over 200 years. Once the turkey is eaten and the weather turns colder, I know my time to shine is coming near. Oh, how I love this time of year – for I am a Christmas tree!
The tradition of Christmas trees in American homes goes way back to German settlers in the 1800s who had long practiced decorating Christmas trees indoors. Trees were often decorated with apples, red paper strips and later with lighted candles. For my sake, I’d advise you to stick with the LED lights this year.
Christmas trees were always taken from the forest at random before the start of commercial farming, but due to overharvesting that was becoming a conservation problem that alarmed environmentalists. The problem became so severe that President Theodore Roosevelt began questioning whether we should be celebrating this tradition at all. Thankfully, many people today can get a perfect tree, like me, at a nearby Christmas tree farm that can specialize in sustainable tree production.
It all started for me when I was just a seed on a farm where I grew with thousands of other trees. We were packed tight there, but I didn’t mind because the conditions were just right. Close and shady is just how we like it. After two or three years, we were carefully plucked from the ground in early spring and packed in boxes. Since Christmas trees can be grown in all 50 states, many of us go a long way to find our next home.
Once that box opened and we hit that fresh, warm air, we were planted once again, this time with more space to really grow and spread our branches. This is where I spent the rest of my life, living it up and soaking in the sun and turning carbon into oxygen. Throughout the seasons I saw a lot of activity on the farm. Many animals made use of my branches for nests and the tall grass around me to hide in.
With summer came time for a haircut (or a shear). I grew a lot during the year and if I wasn’t sheared every year I wouldn’t get that pointy look that people like to decorate and hang a star on. Summer was also the time when the farmer fertilized us so we could grow big and strong, and sometimes they applied insecticides or pesticides to keep critters off me and weeds at bay.
Then came autumn, and after that my favorite season of all, winter! Every Christmas season I saw some of my fellow trees chosen for a family and I patiently waited my turn. It takes trees like me seven to 10 years to reach our optimal height. If I grew too tall I may have been selected to be made into a wreath. Being a wreath is okay, but nothing could beat the joy of being chosen as a family’s Christmas tree.
The only thing that would beat that is if I were picked as the National Grand Champion Tree. They get to become the official White House tree and are selected each year by the National Christmas Tree Association.
Every year since 1853 the president of the United States has selected a tree to be brought into their home. Since 1966, it has always been the National Christmas Tree Association’s Grand Champion Grower’s tree.
After I’ve been decorated and been the center of a festivity or two, I know my days will be short-lived in the house. I will need to relocate somewhere else. However, there are many options for me. I can decompose in the woods for animals and bugs to use, or your local town will shred me up for mulch and compost material. If you have a farmer friend, I can make a great snack for goats to munch on too.
However you are celebrating this holiday season, with or without a tree, me and my friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension would like to wish you a great holiday season. And remember, it’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, its who’s around it.
by Jacob Maslyn, a friend to the tree and the Agriculture Economic Development educator with CCE Ontario. Ontario County residents with questions related to agriculture, horticulture, water quality, youth development or parenting can call 585.394.3977 any time or visit cceontario.org
