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Long before the concept of Christmas was brought to the Americas, peoples believed that the presence of plants and trees that remained green during the winter months were indicative of their ability to ward off a bevy of maladies including illness. The first Christmas tree arrived in the United States in 1747, when immigrants from predominantly Germany continued the practice of displaying decorated trees in their Pennsylvanian neighborhoods to promote their sense of community. It was during the early 1800's that the Christmas tree made its way inside of one's home, but it was still considered taboo by most Americans until the 1890's.
Some historians suggest that it was during the early 20th century that many Americans began decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-Americans continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies.
The advent of electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible and with this having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition. The two trees most thought of as representing the spirit of Christmas are the Norfolk Island pine and the Fraser Fir.
The Norfolk Island pine, or Araucaria heterophylla, is an ornamental evergreen that is native to Norfolk Island located between New Caledonia and New Zealand in the South Pacific. The island was first discovered by Captain James Cook during his second expedition to the South Pacific. It was during this time that he claimed the Island for Great Britain and named it for the Duchess of Norfolk. The Norfolk Island pine, sometimes referred to as the Australian pine, is not a true pine tree. In its natural habitat, the tree can grow upwards to 200 feet, however; it seldom grows beyond 50 feet in height in the state of Florida.
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Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree