Christmas Tree Facts

• The tree, used as a symbol of life, is a tradition older than Christianity and not exclusive to any one religion.  It's a part of our holiday customs that engages not only our senses of sight, touch and smell, but also our sense of tradition, hope and good will.
• Long before there was a Christmas, Egyptians brought green palm branches into their homes on the shortest day of the year in December as a symbol of life's triumph over death.
• Romans adorned their homes with evergreens during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honour of Saturnus, their God of Agriculture. Druid priests decorated oak trees with golden apples for their winter solstice festivities.
• In the Middle Ages the Paradise tree, an evergreen hung with red apples, was the symbol of the feast of Adam and Eve held on December 24th.
• The first recorded reference to the Christmas tree dates back to the 16th century. In Strasbourg, Germany (now part of France), families both rich and poor decorated fir trees with coloured paper, fruits and sweets.

Environment

• Real Christmas trees are an all-Australian product. Most artificial trees are manufactured in Korea, Taiwan or Hong Kong.
• Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and metals.
• For every real Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place. Each hectare provides the daily oxygen requirements of 45 people.