The tradition of bringing an evergreen tree indoors during the darkest days of winter stretches back centuries, long before it became the centerpiece of modern Christmas celebrations. Ancient civilizations across Europe revered evergreen plants as symbols of endurance and the promise that spring would return. The Romans decorated with greenery during Saturnalia, Norse cultures associated evergreens with the god Balder, and Germanic peoples hung evergreen boughs in their homes to ward off evil spirits and illness during winter. The practice of decorating an actual tree is most commonly traced to sixteenth-century Germany, where devout Christians began bringing decorated trees into their homes as a symbol of life in the midst of winter.
The Christmas tree tradition crossed the Atlantic with German settlers and gradually gained popularity across America during the nineteenth century. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert helped popularize the custom in English-speaking countries when an illustration of their decorated family tree was published in the 1840s. By the late 1800s, Christmas trees were a mainstream tradition in American homes, and the commercial Christmas tree farming industry began to take shape. The first electrically lit Christmas tree appeared in 1882, replacing the dangerous practice of using candles, and by the mid-twentieth century, the decorated Christmas tree had become perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the holiday season worldwide.
For Tallahassee residents, the Christmas tree experience comes with some unique regional considerations. Our mild winters mean that cut trees from northern farms -- primarily Fraser firs, Balsam firs, and Douglas firs -- need extra care to stay fresh in our warmer temperatures. Keeping the tree well-watered, placing it away from heat sources, and waiting until closer to Christmas to set it up all help extend its life. Some North Florida families opt for living trees that can be planted in the yard after the holidays, though true firs and spruces will not survive our summers. Better choices for a plantable Christmas tree in our climate include Eastern red cedar, Leyland cypress, or even a small Southern magnolia decorated for the season.
Whether you prefer a traditional cut tree or a living alternative, the Christmas tree tradition connects us to a long human history of celebrating resilience and hope during the year's shortest days. And for those of us who spend the rest of the year caring for the trees around our homes, there is something especially fitting about welcoming one inside for a few weeks of warmth and celebration. After the holidays, Miller's Tree Service is here to help you turn your attention back to the living trees on your property -- making sure they are ready for the new year and the growing season ahead.
