Christmas Tree Facts:

The average Christmas tree takes an average of 8 years to grow from a sapling, which itself is 3 years old

All Christmas trees are grown from seed – pines, firs and spruces are ancient varieties of trees and never developed the ability to grow from cuttings

There are more than 10 different varieties of Christmas tree grown in the UK

The most common tree sold is now the Nordmann Fir

All trees are hand pruned every year during the growing process to ensure that they are the correct conical shape

The Christmas tree outside no. 10 Downing Street is presented annually by the winning grower of the Christmas Tree Growers Association Best Christmas Tree Competition

The tree in Trafalgar Square is the only un-milled tree over 12 feet permitted to be imported into the country

Every year since 1947, the people of Oslo, Norway have given a Christmas tree to the City of Westminster as an expression of goodwill and gratitude for Britain’s help to Norway during World War II

The UK is now self-sufficient in producing trees

Electric lights for trees were first mass-produced in 1890

Every year it is estimated that around 35 million trees are produced

In the past, Christmas trees were often harvested from wild forests but now almost all are commercially grown on tree farms

The first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19^th Century. They were made using goose feathers dyed green. Since then other styles of artificial trees have been developed. In the 1930’s the Addis Brush Company created the first artificial tree made from brush bristles.

Folklore

According to Christian lore, the Christmas tree is associated with St. Boniface. It is said that during his lifetime (c. 672-754) he cut down the tree of Thor in order to disprove the legitimacy of the Norse gods to the local German tribe. He then saw a fir tree growing on the roots of the old oak. He took this as a sign of Christian faith saying, “…let Christ be at the centre of your households…” using the fir tree as a symbol of Christianity.

Superstitions

Both setting up and taking down of a Christmas tree is associated with specific dates. Traditionally, trees were not brought into the home and set up until Christmas Eve and then taken down the day after twelfth night (6^th January). To leave a tree up after that date is still considered to bring bad luck for the following whole year.

Real or Artificial?

The debate about the environmental impact of artificial trees is ongoing. So we have put together a few facts to help you make the decision this year.

Real Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air. In the first week a tree in your home will consume as much as 2 pints of water a day.

On average, artificial Christmas trees will last for six years in your home, but centuries in a landfill. It is believed that a household would need to use an artificial tree for at least 20 years to leave an environmental footprint as small as one natural tree.

An acre of real Christmas trees provides enough oxygen each day for 18 people.

Most modern artificial Christmas trees are made from 100% recycled plastics and used packaging materials.

Real trees are completely biodegradable – they are carbon neutral as they produce as much CO2 in their use and disposal as they absorb during the growing process.

For full details of how to care for your tree  - see the British Christmas Tree Growers Association guide on our website: www.styleofwight.co.uk

Go Green!

After you and your family have enjoyed your tree, it can be recycled. It can be chipped into mulch or used for park footpaths or bridleways. It can increasingly be used as a renewable fuel, because every tree used at Christmas is replaced with a new seedling in the spring of next year.

Recycle your Christmas tree! They can be placed with the garden waste at the main Civic Amenity Sites at Lynbottom and at the two weekend sites at Afton and Forest Road. For details on opening hours please see the Council website: www.iwight.com/living_here/news/2010/christmas-recycling