HOUGHTON — By now, thousands of Keweenaw Peninsula homes, commercial and public buildings, and houses of worship have their Christmas decorations in full display, including the Christmas tree.

According to the Lansing- based Michigan Ag Council, the state ranks third in the nation for growing and supplying two million Christmas trees. The Council noted this involves nearly 37,000 acres dedicated to tree production. In addition, the Council revealed Michigan produces more varieties of trees than any other state. The state’s tree and related greenery industry generates $40 million in sales.

The Living Tree History

According to The History Channel and the National Christmas Tree Association, the Christmas tree’s origin can be traced to German and Austrian Christianity worship and celebration. It is believed during the 16th century Martin Luther placed a tree in his residence’s main room adorned with lite candles.

By the 1820s, German immigrants brought the tree tradition into Pennsylvania. Two decades later, trees were prevalent in the New England region. The National Christmas Tree Association’s research stated that by 1851 trees were being commercially sold.

In 1853, President Franklin Pierce placed the first tree in the White House.

As the early 20th century arrived, trees became prevalent across America. Trees traditionally featured strung popcorn strings interlaced with berries and nuts.

In 1901, the nation’s first Christmas tree farm was established in New Jersey by W.V. McGalliard who planted 25,000 Norway spruce. In the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a tree farm on his Hyde Park, New York, estate grounds.

During this period, the retail industry boomed offering stringed electric tree lights (invented by Thomas Edison) and hundreds, if not thousands. of bulbs and other items to hang on the tree. In 1981, the White House Historical Association began to sell the official White House Christmas ornament.

The National Christmas Tree Association cites in 2022 over 22 million trees are annually sold across the nation. Their research stated the average tree purchaser was age 42 and resided in a home with three or more residents. The median tree price was $80.

The Artificial Tree History

The earliest noted artificial tree is attributed to the Germans, who in the 1880s designed a wooden pyramid structure adorned with goose feathers.

By the 1930s, the British-based Addis Housewares Co. allegedly created a tree with green dyed toilet brushes.

In the 1950s, the Fuller Brush Co. and the American Brush Co. began to research efforts to create a tree from their products. An American Brush senior machinist, Si Spiegel brought into a manufacturing plant numerous fresh pine trees. His research team began to determine how machinery could be adapted to create an artificial tree. Success was found and a subsidiary called the American Tree and Wreath was established. Research from the Wilmington, Delaware’s Hagley Museum noted Spiegel’s process and manufacturing techniques annually produced 800,000 trees.

The aluminum tree can be traced to the late 1950s with Chicago, Illinois- and Manitowoc, Wisconsin-based manufacturers. The trees did not display lights, rather a floor mounted spinning light illuminated green, blue, and red colors on the tree.

When 1965 arrived with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television show, aluminum tree sales plummeted.

The American Christmas Tree Association’s 2023 research noted 77% of American households have at least one artificial tree. In 1992, this figure stood at 46%.

Fresh vs. Artificial

To use a line from the movie and play, “The King and I,” “Tis’ a puzzlement.”

A CBS television news report stated the growing of Christmas trees helps pull carbon dioxide from the air. This process helps bring down the build up of greenhouse gas. However, this process ceases when the tree is harvested.

When the live tree is disposed, it enters a natural process to be “earth or eco-friendly.”

A recent Time magazine article states, “In general, it takes seven to 10 years to grow a Christmas tree.” The article went onto comment that in select regions it is now more difficult to grow trees due to climate change.

CBS news notes 90% of artificial trees are made in China. This means it takes resources to transport to the West coast and then across America to wholesalers and retailers. After an artificial tree’s life cycle, it could go onto a thrift shop or charity to be further utilized. However, in most instances it is destined for the landfill. In that the artificial tree is made from plastic, metal and related materials, it will not decompose like a natural tree.

According to the American Christmas Tree Association, depending on the tree’s price, construction, care and storage an artificial tree can last for 10 to 20 years.

Finally, a live tree offers the pine scent, but needs ongoing watering and can be a needle dropper.

Profile your Christmas tree needs, expectations, compare the costs, and related aspects to reach the right choice. Then, enjoy Christmas.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the Navy. He grew up near the tip of the mitt and resides in suburban Detroit.