Everything But the Smell: Artificial Trees

Granny had a sparkling silver aluminum tree that rotated! A classic but not what we think of now when we buy a fake Christmas tree! Many Christmas traditions were influenced by the Germans including the creation of artificial Christmas trees. The first “fake” trees in the U.S. were wooden tree-shaped pyramids created by German immigrants in Bethlehem, PA.

Feathers in Green

Feather trees appeared in Germany in the 1880s when goose feathers were dyed green to simulate tree branches. Historians believe that feather trees were in response to the decline of German forests due to heavy logging. The feather tree became popular in the U.S. and were often sold with artificial berries that acted as candle holders. The branches were far apart to “prevent” fires. In 1930, a brush company created an artificial tree made from brush bristles. Imagine people with Christmas trees made from toilet bowl brushes! The bristles were dyed green and were popular as they were less flammable than the feather trees. These bristle trees were popular for a few years including being thousands exported to Britain.

The Space Age Tree

Aluminum trees began appearing in the 50s. First manufactured in Chicago soon a small company in Manitowoc, WI became the world’s largest aluminum tree manufacturer. My Granny had an aluminum tree that stood in a rotating stand with a series of red, green and blue lights shining on its sparkling branches. I don’t remember the exact years she displaced this tree but I know that even as a youngster we all giggled about Granny’s special tree.

One Word – Plastic

Today’s artificial tree is made from PVC in China. From 2001 to 2007, over 17.4 million plastic trees were sold in the U.S. On moving to the Northern Nevada desert, we purchased a fake tree which is more fire-resistant and doesn’t become a stick in a winter-heated house. Prelit trees have become popular in recent years. Everyone from Martha Stewart to to the high-end Frontgate catalog have a version. Whether you have a live tree in a pot, a vintage aluminum tree or a scraggly “Charlie Brown tree”, it’s the glow reflected in their eyes on Christmas morning that means the most.