Evergreen Tree: How Christmas Tree Became a Holiday Tradition?
October 3, 2025
From twinkling lights to shimmering tinsel, the decorated evergreen that we call the Christmas tree is central to holiday celebrations around the world. But how did an evergreen tree—a fir or spruce or pine—transform into a symbol of Christmas? In this article, we trace the brief history of the evergreen, explore how the tree became a decorated centerpiece, and discuss how it symbolizes much more than festive cheer.
Christmas Tree Origins in Ancient Times
Long before the first Christmas, people in many cultures used evergreen branches or entire trees to mark the cold, dark days of midwinter. Because the evergreen remained green even as other plants died back, it came to represent life, renewal, and hope in the depths of winter. NWI Tree Service+2ethnobiology.org+2
In ancient Egypt, palm branches were brought indoors during the winter solstice as a symbol of the triumph of life over death. In Rome, during the festival of Saturnalia, evergreen boughs were used to decorate homes. HISTORY+1
Germanic and Celtic peoples also revered certain trees and used them in seasonal rites. The use of evergreen boughs in homes and around doorways was seen as a way to ward off evil spirits or mark the promise of spring. ethnobiology.org+2canr.msu.edu+2
So even before Christianity, evergreen greenery had a strong symbolic presence in winter rituals.
From Boughs to a Full Tree: Prelude to the Christmas Tree
The shift from decorating individual branches to bringing whole evergreen trees indoors is tied to medieval Christian symbolism. In the Middle Ages, mystery plays (religious dramas) featured a “paradise tree” on December 24, which represented the Garden of Eden. The tree was often decorated with apples (symbolizing the Fall) and wafers (for redemption). Eventually, these played a role in inspiring indoor decorated trees. Wikipedia+2HISTORY+2
In parts of Central Europe—especially in what is now Germany and the Baltic lands (Estonia, Latvia)—guilds and fraternities erected decorated trees in guild halls during Christmastide. Documents from the 1400s and 1500s mention trees with apples, nuts, and paper decorations. realchristmastrees.org+3Wikipedia+3HISTORY+3
One strong thread links Protestant Christian practice with the adoption of the decorated Christmas tree. In the 16th century, German Lutherans are credited with placing decorated trees in homes as part of their seasonal observance. arborday.org+2HISTORY+2
A popular legend holds that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was so moved by the sight of stars shining through fir branches on a winter night that he erected a fir tree indoors and lit it with candles to replicate the effect. While the story may be apocryphal, it captures how Christians began to infuse the evergreen tree with their own spiritual symbolism. arborday.org+2Wikipedia+2
Thus, over time, the evergreen tree shifted from pagan and folk usages into a Christian–festive motif.
How the Tree Became a Christmas Tradition
Adoption in Germany and the Baltic Region
The modern Christmas tree has strong roots in Germany and Livonia (present‑day Estonia and Latvia). ethnobiology.org+4Wikipedia+4HISTORY+4 Guild records from Riga (in Latvia) and Reval (now Tallinn, Estonia) mention decorated trees in the 15th and 16th centuries. Wikipedia+2HISTORY+2
In Germany, the practice spread from rural and urban communities into private homes. By the 18th and early 19th centuries, the custom of placing a spruce or fir tree indoors and decorating it became common among the bourgeoisie. arborday.org+3Wikipedia+3HISTORY+3
Decorations in those early days included apples, nuts, wafers, paper roses, and candles. Over time, these evolved into what we recognize today: baubles, tinsel, lights, garlands. Wikipedia+1
Spread to Britain and the English‑Speaking World
Although evergreens had been used decoratively in Britain earlier, the full Christmas tree was rare until the 19th century. Queen Charlotte (wife of George III) is sometimes credited with placing a decorated tree in Windsor in 1800. English Heritage+2HISTORY+2
But the major boost came via Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert. In 1848, an illustrated print showing the royal family gathered around a decorated tree was published and widely disseminated. That image popularized the tradition in Britain and across the English‑speaking world. realchristmastrees.org+3People.com+3Wikipedia+3
By the mid‑1800s, Christmas trees were appearing in homes, schools, and institutions across Britain. English Heritage+2HISTORY+2
Arrival in America
German immigrants brought the Christmas tree custom to America. arborday.org+2Wikipedia+2 Early depictions of decorated trees in American art appear around 1812–1813 in Moravian communities. Wikipedia+1
In 1851, Christmas trees began to be sold commercially in the U.S. realchristmastrees.org And in 1853, President Franklin Pierce is said to have had a Christmas tree in the White House. realchristmastrees.org
By the late 19th century, the American Christmas tree tradition was well established and had become a central part of holiday décor in many homes. realchristmastrees.org+1
What the Evergreen Symbolizes
Why did the evergreen tree endure as the main icon of Christmas? Several layers of symbolism explain its appeal.
- Eternal life / immortality: Because the evergreen does not lose its leaves in winter, it stands as a symbol of life that persists, echoing Christian ideas of eternal life in Christ. NWI Tree Service+3canr.msu.edu+3HISTORY+3
- Light in darkness: Adding lights or candles to a dark winter tree evokes hope and divine illumination. The tree becomes a beacon in the darkness. arborday.org+2HISTORY+2
- Trinity symbolism: The tree’s upward form is sometimes linked to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. In legends, Saint Boniface is said to have felled an oak sacred to pagans and pointed to a fir tree, saying its evergreen nature would symbolize Christ. Wikipedia+1
- Connection to creation / nature: The tree reminds people of God’s creation, and placing a living tree indoors symbolizes bringing the outdoors inside, a mingling of nature and faith.
In more modern Christian contexts, the Chrismon tree (evergreen decorated with Christian symbols) has become popular in churches to emphasize religious meaning beyond mere festivity. Wikipedia
How the Tree Became a Holiday Fixture
Commercialization & Tree Farms
In the U.S., Christmas trees evolved from being wild‑harvested to being grown on tree farms. Today, most natural Christmas trees are grown over 8–12 years before being cut. Wikipedia+2realchristmastrees.org+2
The commercialization of tree sales took hold in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with people buying table‑top trees or full floor trees from nurseries or stands. realchristmastrees.org+1
Lighting Traditions & Electrification
Originally, trees were lit with candles—a risky but meaningful gesture of light. Martin Luther is often credited (in legend) with adding candles to his tree. arborday.org+2HISTORY+2
With the advent of electricity, electric Christmas lights replaced candles, making lighting safer and more spectacular. Wikipedia+1
Large public trees, such as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York, also turned lighting ceremonies into major holiday events. The first official Rockefeller Plaza tree lighting was in 1933 (following a smaller tree in 1931) and is now an annual tradition. Wikipedia
Cultural Standardization
As more homes adopted the decorated Christmas tree, guidelines, catalogs, and publications helped to standardize tree shapes, preferred species (fir, spruce), trimming styles, and typical decor (lights, garlands, tinsel). The ubiquitous image of a decorated Christmas tree became a marker of the holiday season across many cultures.
The Tree Became Iconic: Why It Endures
While many Christmas symbols—nativity scenes, carols, wreaths—are beloved, the evergreen Christmas tree has become possibly the most universal and instantly recognized symbol of the season. Some reasons:
- Visual impact: A tall green tree full of glowing lights and ornaments commands attention and becomes the focal point in homes.
- Flexibility: It can be large or small, live or artificial, decorated in countless styles.
- Emotional attachment: Families often have traditions around choosing, trimming, and lighting the tree, making it a vessel of memory.
- Cultural export: Once popular in Europe, the Christmas tree was adopted worldwide, often blending local traditions with the evergreen custom.
In many places, the tree is erected early in December (or at Advent’s start) and kept through Twelfth Night (January 5 or 6). Some remove decorations on Candlemas (February 2) in Christian liturgical traditions. Wikipedia+2HISTORY+2
In recent decades, artificial trees and pre-lit trees have grown in popularity, offering alternatives to live firs and spruces. But the evergreen aesthetic—the idea of a green tree with lights—remains central.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we use evergreen trees for Christmas?
Evergreen trees stay green all year, symbolizing eternal life and hope during the dark winter months. Ancient cultures and later Christians adopted them for winter celebrations, which evolved into the modern Christmas tree tradition.
What does the Christmas tree symbolize?
The Christmas tree symbolizes life, renewal, and light in darkness. In Christian tradition, it represents eternal life through Christ and is often seen as a sign of hope, joy, and unity during the holiday season.
Where did the Christmas tree tradition originate?
The tradition began in parts of Europe—mainly Germany, Latvia, and Estonia—during the 15th and 16th centuries. It spread through German Lutheran communities and became popular in the UK and U.S. in the 19th century.
Did pagans use evergreen trees before Christians?
Yes, ancient pagan cultures used evergreen boughs during the winter solstice to symbolize life and ward off evil. These customs influenced how evergreen trees became part of Christian Christmas traditions.
Who is credited with the first decorated Christmas tree?
Protestant reformer Martin Luther is often credited with the first indoor Christmas tree decorated with candles, inspired by the sight of starlight through evergreen branches.
What are traditional decorations on a Christmas tree?
Historically, trees were decorated with apples, wafers, nuts, and candles. Modern decorations include lights, baubles, tinsel, garlands, and themed ornaments.
When did Christmas trees become popular in America?
Christmas trees became common in American homes during the mid-to-late 19th century, brought by German immigrants and popularized by public displays and early commercial tree sales.
Is there a religious meaning behind the Christmas tree?
Yes, the tree often represents eternal life, the Tree of Life from Genesis, and Christ’s light. Some churches use a "Chrismon tree" with Christian symbols to reflect its deeper religious meaning.
What types of trees are used as Christmas trees?
Popular choices include fir trees (like Fraser and Douglas fir), spruce, and pine. These trees have sturdy branches and a strong evergreen scent, making them ideal for decorations.
How long do real Christmas trees last indoors?
A real tree can last 4–6 weeks indoors with proper watering and care. It’s best to keep the tree away from heat sources and to use a tree stand that holds water to keep it fresh longer.