O’ Christmas Tree

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree…

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when ’tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How lovely are thy branches!

There’s nothing like an evergreen tree to remind people of life in the dead of winter. Whether pine, spruce or fir, the tradition of bringing branches and greenery into homes during winter goes back to ancient times. In fact, the Romans used fir trees to decorate temples during their December Saturnalia festival, and pre-Christian Germanic and Celtic tribes carried on that tradition during their winter solstice festival, using evergreens to symbolize continuous life and the coming spring. So, for thousands of years, the concept of something akin to a “Christmas tree” has been around.

These days, two cities in Eastern Europe compete for the title of the first documented use of an actual Christmas tree: Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia. Tallinn says they started the tradition in 1441. Riga claims they were the first, with the tradition instead going back to 1510. Civic pride and promotion aside, the more prevailing legend says that the first time a Christmas tree came home was with the 16th century German preacher, Martin Luther. As the story goes, he was walking through the forest when he looked up and saw stars shining through the tree branches. His wonder at the sight was so profound that he went home and set up a candle-lit fir tree in his house to symbolize Jesus, who “left the stars of heaven to come to Earth.”

Since then, the evergreen tree has become emblematic of Christmas. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, somewhere between 25 million and 30 million live Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States. That doesn’t account for the 84 percent of families who put up an artificial tree. And, while artificial trees offer low-maintenance, symmetry and no water needs, many people still believe that finding and cutting a live tree is not only a family event, but a rite of passage. For them, the experience of getting the real tree is as important as having it in the living room.

Cut to modern-day Siskiyou County, where cutting down a Christmas tree is an annual tradition that often happens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For many parents, it can be an afternoon of wet shoes, driving in the snow, whining kids, excessive cups of hot chocolate and solo-wrestling a tree to the top of the truck or minivan during freezing night-time weather. But the difficulties of the day are usually forgotten in a collective remembrance of family tradition, exploring the woods and celebrating the holidays.

However, getting a tree is not as easy as taking a chainsaw into the forest. Checking weather conditions is a must. Then, unless on private property, a permit is needed, which will come with directions to public areas where it’s OK to cut. Appropriate gear is also crucial. Boots, gloves and sunglasses (or safety goggles) help protect hands from sap and pitch, as well as eyes from wayward pine needles. It’s also important to scope out the entire area first before making a selection. No two trees are the same, and a walk around the tree can help confirm even branch distribution with no bald or dead patches. It also helps to make sure there are no animals living in the tree because there’s nothing like getting home and adding squirrels to the Christmas cheer.

But perhaps the biggest responsibility is respect for the forest. “Topping” a tree, as in simply cutting off the top of a larger tree, is highly discouraged. According to most horticulturalists, it can be detrimental to tree structure, health and value, and often shortens a tree’s lifespan. Look for a smaller tree that fits the space it’s headed to, has nice branch distribution and can fit in the car. As a pro tip, once the tree gets home, cutting off about an inch from the trunk’s bottom and removing the bottom thinner branches (which can also double as great table decorations!) then drilling a few small half-inch holes into the bottom of the trunk will help it absorb water. Not to mention, it might help getting it onto that tree stand a little easier. •

To learn more about tree permits:
www.recreation.gov/tree-permits