Oh tannenbaum!

Evergreens for Solstice
​Did you know that long before Christmas existed many people used evergreens to celebrate the winter solstice? Solstice is either known for being the shortest day of the year or the longest night of the year.  Winter solstice is usually on December 21st every year.
 
During these early older times people believed that the green branches of evergreens meant that the sun would be shining more and the new plant growth represented everlasting life!
 

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First Trees for Christmas
​The first recorded fir tree decorated for Christmas was dated back to the 16th Century! The tree was decorated with artificial roses and placed for people to dance around them.
 Christians began hanging
evergreen tips from ceiling and decorated them with apples and nuts. German settlers in Pennsylvania displayed public Christmas trees in                                                                                                  their communities.
 

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Fun Facts
These are a few fun facts about America and Christmas trees:

1850’s- 1st Christmas tree sold in America  commercially and the White House had its first Christmas tree which was chosen by President Franklin Pierce.
1900’s- Americans decorated trees in homes with colored popcorn, berries and nuts.
1901- New Jersey has its first Christmas tree farm owned by W.V. McGalliard, who planted 25,000 trees.
1923- President Calvin Coolidge initiated the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn.
1930’s- 1st Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on display- no lights and was a very small tree.
 

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Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!

​When the Christmas season is over and you are taking down the tree, it is time to figure out what you can do with it!  The following are ways you can recycle your Christmas tree instead of dumping it at the landfill!

•      Take it to a recycling center in your town.
•      Make it into firewood!
•      Make mulch with the needles or wood chips from the trunk.
•      Do a DIY project with the trunk like wooden coasters.
•      If you have permission put it in a pond, so it can be a natural habitat and food           for fish. 

The following town have recycling plan for your trees:

• Easton-Trees can be dropped off at the DPW or Boy Scouts will do a pick up for a fee.
• Brockton- From 12/30-1/10 on trash day place the tree with your trash. No tinsel or decorations on them!
• Norton-Can be dropped off at the highway department, no tinsel or decorations.
• Mansfield- 2 week-time frame you can place the tree with your trash. No tinsel or decorations on them.

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