Like many other holidays, Christmas and the landscape industry play an integral role in the festivities. From the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City to your local Christmas tree lot to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, one thing is clear, Christmas trees, their maintenance, and tradition, are vital to the holiday.

Before the religious connection to Christmas, plants and trees that remained green all winter were special during Winter Solstice. Many countries now believe that evergreens can help ward off illness and evil.

 

According to History Channel, the history of Christmas trees has centuries-long traditions of evergreens dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Germanic traditions of Christmas trees featured candlelit trees that made their way to America in the 1800s.

Now, millions around the world flock to their local Christmas tree farm or lot to pick out the perfect tree to bring into their houses, decorate, and place beautiful gifts under as a symbol of the season. Landscape professionals play a strong role in making the tradition possible.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. each year. Additionally, there are close to 350 million real trees growing in the country, that take up to 15 years to grow, and over 100,000 people employed because of the Christmas tree industry.

According to The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, Christmas trees are planted in late April and early May and then pruned in late June through July to get their signature cone shape. The evergreens grow best on a gentle north slope with no frost pockets and are protected from winds. Excessively dry or wet sites are undesirable. Landscape professionals are important in creating fragrant trees for the following Christmas.

With the Christmas and holiday season upon us, Landscape Architect and Specifier News would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!