Feather Christmas tree
Encyclopedia
A feather Christmas tree is a type of artificial Christmas tree
that is generally considered one of the first artificial trees used as a Christmas tree
. They originated in Germany in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States during the early 20th century.
in the 1880s or 1890s and are regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees. These first artificial trees were, in part, a response to growing environmental concerns in the late 19th century concerning deforestation
associated with the harvest of Christmas trees in Germany. The tradition of feather Christmas trees was brought to the United States
by German immigrants
in places such as Pennsylvania
and Texas
.
Feather Christmas trees became popular during the early 20th century, and were sold by department stores in the United States.
Benefits touted for feather trees included the elimination of a trip to the tree lot and the lack of shed needles. Today, feather Christmas trees are valued as a collectible antique. One 36 inch German tree sold at auction in 2008 for $230.
feathers which were attached to wire branches. The feathers were split and then secured with wire to form the branches. These wire branches were then wrapped around a central dowel
which acted as the trunk. The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation. Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2 inch tree to a large 98 inch tree sold in department store
s during the 1920s. Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders.
Artificial Christmas tree
Artificial Christmas trees are artificial pine and fir trees manufactured for the specific purpose of use as a Christmas tree. The earliest artificial Christmas trees were wooden, tree-shaped pyramids or feather trees, both developed by Germans...
that is generally considered one of the first artificial trees used as a Christmas tree
Christmas tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century...
. They originated in Germany in the late 19th century and became popular in the United States during the early 20th century.
History
Feather Christmas trees were first created in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in the 1880s or 1890s and are regarded as one of the first types of artificial Christmas trees. These first artificial trees were, in part, a response to growing environmental concerns in the late 19th century concerning deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
associated with the harvest of Christmas trees in Germany. The tradition of feather Christmas trees was brought to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by German immigrants
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
in places such as Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Feather Christmas trees became popular during the early 20th century, and were sold by department stores in the United States.
Benefits touted for feather trees included the elimination of a trip to the tree lot and the lack of shed needles. Today, feather Christmas trees are valued as a collectible antique. One 36 inch German tree sold at auction in 2008 for $230.
Design
Feather trees were initially made of green-dyed gooseGoose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
feathers which were attached to wire branches. The feathers were split and then secured with wire to form the branches. These wire branches were then wrapped around a central dowel
Dowel
A dowel is a solid cylindrical rod, usually made of wood, plastic or metal. In its original manufactured form, dowel is called dowel rod.Dowel rod is employed in numerous, diverse applications. It is used to form axles in toys, as detents on gymnastics grips, as knitting needles, as structural...
which acted as the trunk. The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation. Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2 inch tree to a large 98 inch tree sold in department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
s during the 1920s. Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders.
Further reading
- Crews, Barbara. "Feather Christmas Trees: Pictures, Prices and Patents", about.comAbout.comAbout.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
, accessed March 28, 2009. - Mueller, Thomas G. "Grandpa Salomon's German Christmas Tree", Germans From Russian Heritage Collection, North Dakota State UniversityNorth Dakota State UniversityNorth Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
Libraries, updated December 18, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009.
External links
- "Country Mitten Feather Tree", (Image of 1930s Feather tree), Better Homes and GardensBetter Homes and Gardens (magazine)Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. The editor in Chief is Gayle Butler. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per...
, accessed March 28, 2009. - "Joanne Hobbs Creates Goose Feather Christmas Trees at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea", (Press release), Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, via Kentucky.govKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, November 25, 2008, accessed March 28, 2009.