Having a beautiful Christmas tree is one of the most enjoyable and important parts of the holiday season. A Christmas tree holds all of your favorite ornaments, can help make your home more festive and is a place for family and friends to gather around. But you have a big decision to make when it comes to your Christmas tree: should you get an artificial tree or a real one? Your friends at Harvest Lawn Care of New Jersey have a handy guide to help you navigate all the pros and cons and find the perfect option for your family this Christmas.
The first documented use of a Christmas tree was in Latvia in 1510, when a local group of merchants decorated a tree in the market area with artificial roses, held a dance around it, and then set fire to the tree. The tradition became more common in Germany throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, when they were decorated with apples, sugary edible ornaments, and red paper strips.
In the 1800s, Christmas trees were introduced to the United States, as well as glass ornaments and strings of toys. Throughout the 1900s, as the population of evergreen trees in the United States began to decrease, people were encouraged to use artificial “trees” made of simple deciduous tree branches covered with “snow” made from cotton. Some manufacturers made trees out of goose feathers, but others like the Addis Brush Company pioneered the first modern artificial trees. Christmas tree farms that more responsibly managed how trees were cut down for Christmas trees and planted new trees were also established to allow people to continue using real trees in their homes.
Whatever you choose for your Christmas tree this year, the trees and shrubs outside your New Jersey home will still need dedicated care. Especially during the winter, when trees and shrubs are highly susceptible to damage from dryer conditions and winter weather, your plants will need some extra care from the tree and shrub professionals at Harvest Lawn Care.
We offer a comprehensive six-step tree and shrub care program directed by a certified arborist and a tree expert. We know how to keep all of your trees and shrubs looking beautiful and healthy so you can enjoy them all year round. To find out more about our tree and shrub care program and all of our other lawn care, pest control, and commercial service options, visit our website, fill out our contact form, or request a free quote. You can also give us a call at 800-800-LAWN. And don’t forget to keep reading our monthly blog for more helpful articles on lawn and garden care!