Many of us gather around our Christmas tree every year, but how much do we really know about their origin and meaning? Before their association with Christmas, evergreen trees were displayed by ancient cultures during the winter solstice when many other tree species lost their colours. This time was proclaimed as a chance for the sun god to regain his strength, and many people believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
It is believed that trees first became a Christmas tradition in Germany in the 16th century and was made popular in the UK by Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. Fast forward to the present day, and between 6 and 8 million trees are sold each year by Members of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.
As advocates for responsible forestry, FSC are pleased that there is a way to honour this cherished Christmas tradition while ensuring the world’s forests are protected. FSC-certified Christmas trees are grown as part of a well-managed forest, minimising the use of pesticides, and protecting forest plants and animals. ‘Real’ Christmas trees also have a significantly lower carbon footprint, especially if disposed of responsibly by chipping or burning.
With this in mind, we are thrilled that this year, the Westminster tree next to Big Ben in London is from an FSC-certified forest! The 43 ft Sitka spruce was selected from over 150 million trees at Forestry England’s Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
Closer to home for us, the Christmas tree outside the Llanidloes Town Hall, where the FSC UK office is situated, was sourced from FSC-certified Hafren Forest, all arranged by Natural Resources Wales.
These trees will bring the magic of Christmas to thousands of people in the UK, particularly important after this tough year, along with the peace of mind that they were sourced responsibly.
If you know of any public Christmas trees sourced from FSC-certified forests, please get in touch. Click here for our helpful guide on purchasing and disposing of Christmas trees responsibly for your home.