Christmas Trees Around The World Quiz

Answer: Oak

Given Christmas occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in winter, an evergreen tree is needed. Pine, Spruce and Fir trees all retain their leaves in winter (Oaks are deciduous). There are reports that go back as far as the late 1400s where guildhalls would decorate trees at Christmas time with sweets (Livonia) or "apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers" (Bremen Germany).

The sweets were given to children and apprentices and on the last night before Christmas the tree was taken to the town square and the townsfolk danced around it.

Answer: Poland

The Egyptians, Romans and Chinese have used evergreen trees, often made into wreaths and garlands, as symbols of eternal life. In northern Europe tree worship continued after the conversion to Christianity and it is quite possible the earlier practice simply became rolled up into Christianity customs.

During medieval times, mystery plays were common. These told bible stories and special ones were performed around Christmas time where Adam and Eve Name Days were celebrated and incorporated into the play. Part of these rituals included a tree decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist). Afterwards the performance trees were placed in homes. Over time the the apples were replaced with red shiny balls (A-ha!)

Martin Luther is reputed to have placed lighted candles on an evergreen tree. Another practice that was to reappear in more modern times.

Answer: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of George III

In the House of Hanover, George III's German-born wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz introduced a decorated Christmas tree at a children's Christmas party in 1800. This became a tradition in the royal family and when Victoria married German-born Albert, this custom became more widespread. First wealthier upper and middle class families started the custom.

The spread of the custom to most other families was reported to have been caused by an 1858 newspaper article which stated every German family had a tree at Christmas.

Answer: True

In Emmy E. Werner's "In Pursuit of Liberty: Coming of Age in the American Revolution" in 2006 she described the Christmas tree custom started in a 1781 when "General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel and his wife, the Baroness von Riedesel, hosted a Christmas party for his officers and their families their guests with a fir tree decorated with candles and fruits in place to commemorate the occasion".

How the custom spread to the US is not clear. It is apparent that Protestant German immigrants brought the custom with them but none of the claims to be the 'first' have been substantiated. However the custom was widely spread by the 1830s.

Answer: New Year

The "Christmas tree" was reintroduced in Russia in 1935 as the New Year Spruce. It was promoted in a totally secular context. The star at the top of the decorated tree for example, was not the Star of Bethlehem but the Red Star. Decorations focused around Russian technological advancement with rockets and aeroplanes being attached to the tree, although figurines from folk tales were also popular.

When the USSR fell apart, this tradition persisted. Even today, most Russians celebrate New Year far more heartily than Christmas.

Answer: South Lawn of the White House

The first National Christmas Tree (USA) was lit by President Coolidge in 1923 and has been lit every year since by the President (or the Vice President in his absence). President Roosevelt made formal remarks during the lighting ceremony and this tradition has also been kept since then.

In 1954 the Pageant of Peace was was introduced to mark a month long of festivities. Nearby are Christmas trees representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five external US territories - this is referred to as the Pathway of Peace.

Answer: False

Traditionally a Christmas tree was set up on Christmas Eve and taken down after the twelfth day of Christmas (January 5). If you went outside these times, this was considered bad luck.
Another time-frame is to set up the Christmas tree at the start of Advent season (Advent meaning coming). However not all religions can agree on what this date actually is. Most western religions agree, this the closest Sunday to St Andrews Day which is marked on November 30.
Some American and Canadian families wait until Remembrance Day (November 11) then set up the tree. Another popular date in the Roman Catholic Church is December 8 which is Immaculate Conception day.
Similarly there is no agreed date on when a tree should be dismantled.

Answer: About 8-12 years

The most commonly used species are fir (Abies), which do not shed their needles. They also retain colour and and some scent.
In North America, most commonly used trees are Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Balsam fir (Abies balsamea). In northern Europe most commonly used are Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Silver fir (Abies alba).
It takes 3-4 years for the seed extracted from the cone, to be grown in a nursery. Then the seedling is planted on the farm and will take a minimum of five years to reach the preferred height of two metres.

Answer: Used car tyres

The first artificial trees were made in Germany in the 1880s from goose feathers dyed green. In 1930, the American Addis Brush company marketed a tree made from brush bristles. Aluminium trees were also available however most artificial Christmas trees are made from PVC, some of it recycled.

In the early 21st Century optical fibre Christmas trees became popular as they came with inbuilt decorations and were reusable.

In 2017, it was estimated that about 58% of US households had artificial Christmas trees, whilst in the UK it was as much as two-thirds.

Answer: 1982

Pope Jean Paul II's Papacy began on 16 October 1978 and ended when he died on 2 April 2005. When he introduced the Christmas Tree in 1982, there was widespread criticism from other elements of the Catholic Church. However since then the Vatican Christmas Tree has become an integral part of the Holy See's Christmas celebrations. In his final Christmas message in 2004, the Pope said "The traditional "Christmas tree" is a sign of the value of life, as in winter the evergreen becomes a sign of undying life".

Perhaps then, the Christmas Tree had been finally recognised as a universal symbol of Christmas in the Christian world.