The Christmas Trees
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The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a popular tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. More often than not, the Christmas tree is brought into a home, but can also be used in the open. Both can be decorated with Christmas lights , ornaments, garlands and tinsel during the days around Christmas. At the top of the tree is often placed with an angel or star, symboling the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.
The natural Christmas trees
The most commonly used species are fir (Abies), whose needles would not shed off when they dry out and they can also retain good foliage colour and scent.However, species in other genera are also used.
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In North America, Central America and South America most commonly used are:
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Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Balsam Fir Abies balsamea
Fraser Fir Abies fraseri
Grand Fir Abies grandis
Guatemalan Fir Abies guatemalensis
Noble Fir Abies procera
Red Fir Abies magnifica
White Fir Abies concolor
Colorado Pine Pinus edulis
Jeffrey Pine Pinus jeffreyi
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Stone Pine Pinus pinea
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In northern Europe most commonly used are:
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Silver Fir Abies alba
Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana
Noble Fir Abies procera
Norway Spruce Picea abies
Serbian Spruce Picea omorika
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Stone Pine Pinus pinea
Swiss Pine Pinus cembra
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The artificial Christmas trees
Artificial trees became increasingly popular during the late 20th century. The artificial Christmas trees are more convenient, and much cheaper than the natural ones due to their reusability.
The first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19th century. These "trees" were made using goose feathers that were dyed green. The German feather trees were one response by Germans to continued deforestation in Germany. Feather
Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2-inch (51 mm) tree to a large 98-inch (2,500 mm) tree sold in department stores during the 1920s. Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders.
Over the years, other styles of artificial Christmas trees have evolved and become popular. In 1930, the U.S.-based Addis Brush Company created the first artificial Christmas tree made from brush bristles. Another one is the aluminum Christmas tree, made from aluminum which was manufactured in the United States, first in Chicago in 1958, and then in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where the majority of the trees were produced. Most modern artificial Christmas trees are made from 100% recycled plastics of used packaging materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other plastics. Approximately 10% of artificial Christmas trees are using virgin suspension PVC resin and despite being plastic, most artificial trees are not recyclable or biodegradable. Since then, the trees made from other materials, cardboard, glass, ceramic,ect, have gradually been within our reach.
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