Douglas fir |
Native Oregon trees
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
The #2 Christmas tree in US, #1 in Oregon . Soft, thin needles.
Grand fir |
Grand
fir (Abies
Grandis) Flat needles. Great aroma and good needle retention.
Noble fir |
Noble fir (Abies Procera) Stiff
branches with upturned needles. Nice form. Good needle retention.
Non-natives
Nordman fir |
Nordman fir (Abies Nordmanniana)
Native to S. Europe . A good tree for people
with allergies. Good needle retention.
Fraser fir |
Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) Native to
Scots pine |
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) Native to Europe .
The #1 Christmas tree in the US .
Great needle retention and scent.
For a tour of these and other Christmas trees at Portland's Hoyt Arboretum, see Christmas Trees at Hoyt Arboretum.
A Brief History of
Christmas Trees
Early Europeans used evergreen boughs to decorate their homes at the
winter solstice.
1500s Christmas trees decorated in the town square in the capital ofLatvia .
According to legend, Martin Luther first put a decorated tree in the home.
1500s Christmas trees decorated in the town square in the capital of
1600s Trees commonly decorated with apples in Germany .
1700s Edible ornaments
on trees in Germany .
First record of lit candles on trees in France .
1800s Christmas trees introduced in US by German
settlers.
1846 Queen Victoria and family sketched sitting
around a Christmas tree, leading to its popularity in England .
1851 First Christmas trees sold in US at a market
in NY.
1853 First Christmas tree at the White House.
1882 First electric lights on a Christmas tree by
Edward Johnson, protege of Thomas Edison.
1890s Glass ornaments arrive in US from Germany .
Larger trees become popular.
1901 First Christmas tree farm in US.
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