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Traditions from Germany
Discover How Germany's Goose Feather Tree Began
Feather trees were originally crafted from green-dyed goose feathers attached to wire branches.
• The feathers were split and secured with wire, forming branches wrapped around a central dowel serving as the trunk.
• The branches were spaced apart to prevent candle fires and allow for decorations.
• These trees varied in size from 5 centimeters (2 inches) to 2.5 meters (98 inches) in height.
• Many featured artificial red berries at the branches' ends, serving as candle holders.
Why did Germans invent the feather Christmas Tree?
Simple: deforestation.
The tradition of the feather tree began in the mid-19th century when cutting trees for Christmas was banned to save German woodlands. Every Christmas, tens of thousands of trees were cut down to take home to decorate at Christmas. The best-looking Christmas trees were made from the tops of the tree, thereby stunting the tree and rendering it useless to the lumber industry.
