What is a Yule tree? The Yule Tree
The “Yule tree,”, or Christmas tree, is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer species, such as pine, fir, cedar, juniper, or spruce. The tradition has origins with ancient civilizations in the middle east, Asia, and Europe.
Likewise, Which Christmas tree is best for heavy ornaments?
Great for strength: The strongest branch award goes to the Noble Fir. It’s strong, stiff branches will hold up even the heaviest of ornaments. Longest lasting: The longest-lasting tree (if you take care of it!) is the Fraser Fir.
Thereof, What are the 12 days of Yule? The ancient festival was a 12 daylong celebration beginning on the eve of the Winter Solstice (known to most Pagans as Yule) and ending at the new calendar year. This celebration was so important in ancient times that it was converted by the Christians to the 12 Days of Christmas.
Why did pagans decorate trees?
Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice.
What is the purpose of a yule tree?
European pagans decorated evergreen trees, symbols of spring and life, in their homes long before Christianity. An evergreen, its color symbolizing hope, is cut and brought inside a home warmed by a fire.
Which is better Balsam vs Fraser?
The Balsam is a more traditional choice for a Christmas tree, since it naturally grows in this area. Balsams grow faster meaning their branch strength is less than a Fraser, however Balsams are often “fuller”, with more, closer growing branches. Unlike the Fraser, Balsams have “soft” needles.
Which Christmas tree has sharp needles?
The balsam fir is that all-around, classic Christmas tree. “It has a strong, ‘spicy’ Christmas tree scent and its conical form and dark green color make it what most people identify with as a Christmas tree,” Radin says. “It also has excellent needle retention!
What is the most realistic looking artificial Christmas tree?
Compared with National Tree’s Downswept Douglas Fir, Balsam Hill’s 7.5-foot Fraser Fir Flip Tree Color + Clear LED has a higher number and a greater proportion of realistic branches, which makes it appear more lifelike especially from across a room.
Is Santa a pagan god?
The modern Santa Claus is a direct descendent of England’s Father Christmas, who was not originally a gift-giver. However, Father Christmas and his other European variations are modern incarnations of old pagan ideas about spirits who traveled the sky in midwinter, Hutton said.
Why does Yule last so long?
The midwinter feast usually lasted 12 days. Vikings decorated evergreen trees with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return in the spring. … They thought by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer.
How long is Yuletide?
Yule comes from a name for a 12-day festival, celebrated by Germanic peoples, around the winter solstice in December and January.
Does the Bible say not to put up a Christmas tree?
Deuteronomy 16:21 says:
All in all, whether you put up a Christmas tree or not, the worship should always be about the Lord and nothing else. If that is your driving force, whether or not you put up a tree is solely up to you.
Is having a Christmas tree a sin?
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee. The scripture points to the people planting trees near the holy place of God which means you can’t place anything in the holy place which would take the attention off of God.
When should I put my Christmas tree up 2021?
In 2021, the first day of the Advent is Sunday, November 28 – so a little earlier than usual. This means it’s actually acceptable to put your Christmas decorations up before December hits. Other traditions dictate erecting the tree 12 days before Christmas.
Where do Yule trees grow?
The Scotch Pine is native to northern Europe. It is an evergreen conifer with a pyramidal shape. The Scotch Pine will grow up to 60 feet tall with a 40 foot spread in a landscape setting.
What are some Yule traditions?
Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.
- Build a Yule Altar. …
- Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath. …
- Burn a Yule Log. …
- Decorate a Yule Tree. …
- Exchange Nature-Based Gifts. …
- Give Back to Nature. …
- Celebrate in Candlelight. …
- Set up a Meditation Space.
Is the Yule log pagan?
The tradition of yule logs has its roots in pagan rituals. … Ultimately, the yule log was thought to determine a person’s good or bad luck, and there are many variations on this superstition.
How can you tell the difference between a Fraser fir and a balsam fir?
The best way to tell the difference between Fraser and balsam firs is by looking at the cones. Frasers have bracts–structures that extend over the cone scales–that are longer than the cone scales and are curved. The bracts on balsam firs are shorter than the cone scales.
How do I know if I have a Fraser fir?
Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)
A distinguishing feature of the Fraser fir is that it has straight branches that are angled upwards. The foliage forms a conical shape at the top of the tree. Each branch has twigs with short green to dark-green needles that grow in 2 rows.
What does a Fraser fir look like?
Fraser fir has blue-green needles with silvery undersides. The branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments. The trees have a pleasant scent and needle retention is excellent.
Which Christmas tree has the strongest branches?
Fraser fir is another tree that smells like Christmas.
The real McCoy has even more to offer: Fraser firs take a delightfully full pyramidal shape, with sturdy branches fit to support heavier ornaments—not to mention, room enough between branches to hang bigger bulbs in the first place.
What is the most fragrant type of Christmas tree?
- Balsam Fir. The Balsam fir is the most fragrant of the trees, making it the most popular Christmas tree variety. …
- Douglas Fir. A very common variety, these trees are favored for their perfect conical shape and fullness. …
- Fraser Fir. …
- Scotch Pine (or Scots Pine) …
- Colorado Blue Spruce.
What is the difference between spruce and fir trees?
To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers. … As a result, the branches of spruce trees feel rough.
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