Evergreen trees like Fir and Pine were decorated outside or on the threshold of a home with fruit and sweetmeats. They were thought to ward away evil spirits who collected the offerings and went away. I think it was actually the birds enjoying this winter treat.
The tradition of using evergreens for our Christmas decorations must therefore go back a long way. The earliest Christmas Tree is said to be a Fir Tree which the monks believed grew from the centre of the Oak they cut down to stop the Druids worshipping it. They dedicated the Fir to the eternal life of Christ. The earliest pictorial evidence is in a 1521 painting showing a Fir tree being carried through the streets in Germany before a saint, possibly St Nicholas in winter. The custom probably originated in Medieval Times when it was also called the Paradise Tree.
The tradition of using an evergreen tree in the house in England was introduced by George 111’s consort Queen Charlotte who used it at a children’s Christmas Party decorated with paper, ribbons and dried fruit. It became popular in the 19th Century when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were pictured with a decorated tree in their home. A custom partly borrowed from the German culture and partly from the more pagan belief that bringing evergreen trees inside would symbolise life in the depths of winter as well as ward off evil spirits. This resonated strongly with the public and the Christmas Tree became popular across the nation. It has since become a symbol of family togetherness and holiday spirit and Christmas Trees have been a central part of the festive season in our homes.
Various species of trees have been used for indoor decoration over the years. The most common one used in the Victorian era was the Norway Spruce. While it was cherished for its classic appearance and scent it was often a disappointment by the time Christmas Day arrived as the narrow needle leaves dried out in the warm house and dropped after a few days. No one thought of standing the tree in a bucket of water so the branches were often bare before the big day and all that remained were twigs.
Other evergreen conifers also used as Christmas Trees were the White Pine and Douglas Fir until the Nordmann Fir Tree became the favourite because of its lovely shape and green leaves that stay on the branches even as the tree dries out indoors.
Milton Ernest Garden Centre was one of the first centres to sell these Firs in England. I did not believe the nursery man’s chat up line and had a tree delivered in October. It did not shed its needles until February. We have sold them ever since.
Although Nordman Fir Trees keep most of their needles here are a few tips to ensure the tree stays fresh for the festive season. Cut a few inches from the stem to allow good water absorption, remove the net to allow airflow through the needles and stand it in a bucket of water for about 3 days before bringing into the house to decorate. A well hydrated tree will stay looking fresh for 3 to 4 weeks. Check the water level daily while indoors to maintain adequate hydration and keep the tree away from any heat sources.
In most years we sell our cut Christmas trees from the last week of November so come to the Garden Centre early to choose the best shaped tree and then leave it in the garden until you’re ready to bring indoors and decorate.
Pot-grown Christmas trees have become popular in recent years offering an environmentally friendly alternative to cut trees. They must however be gradually acclimatized to the central heating in our homes today. Place the tree in an unheated room or porch for a few days before moving it to a warmer place for decoration. When indoors pot grown trees must be watered regularly.
If you want to keep your tree for another year after the festivities are over it is vital that you gradually acclimatize the tree back to outdoor conditions before planting it in the garden or a larger pot. Find a suitable spot in full sun and that has well-drained soil. Allow plenty of space between the tree and other garden plants as Christmas trees grow to be large trees. Grown in a pot the growth will be restricted by the size of the pot you use. Regular pruning and maintenance will also be necessary to encourage healthy growth and keep the tree in good shape.
Another idea is to stand a tree outside in the garden, or use one that is already growing, and decorate it with food for the birds (and squirrels). Make garlands with peanuts in the shells, popcorn and berries. Hang sprigs of millet, fat balls, slices of apple, trimmed meat and bacon fat and suet cakes covered in seed.
Christmas trees can attract various forms of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. Mature trees have been known to be home to 60 different types of moths and 40 types of birds.
I don’t have an environmental issue with promoting cut evergreen trees for Christmas Decoration. The trees are grown as a farmed crop. In the early years of its growth the trees use lots of carbon dioxide. After Christmas the trees can be recycled as a mulch to prevent soil erosion. They are at least regarded as a carbon neutral crop.
Milton Ernest Garden Centre wishes all our customers
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Just because its winter with a bit of planning our gardens can still be very colourful. There are many plants that will flower during the colder days of reduced daylight. Some shrubs lose their leaves revealing amazingly coloured bark. Many plants produce berries that are welcomed as winter food for our birds and wildlife while others retain colourful evergreen foliage.
National Tree Planting Week, which began in 1975, starts this year on November 21st. It is the start of the winter planting season and is a reminder of the valuable contribution trees make to our environment.
By planting a tree in our gardens or as communities we are helping to overcome the effects of climate change, improving the look of our surroundings and offering a great opportunity for wildlife to move into the area.
Red and Yellow and Pink and Green Orange and Purple and Blue these are the colours of a Rainbow which can all be found in your garden every autumn. As the days get shorter and the light levels and temperatures drop deciduous plants will stop producing chlorophyll, their source of nutrition, and shed their leaves. Chlorophyll produces the green leaves we see when plants are actively growing. In autumn the chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves loose the green pigment revealing other colours in the leaves.
