Trees Included in Winter Solstice Celebrations

The winter Solstice is on or around December 21^st each year and marks the official start of winter. A variety of trees have been used to celebrate this change of seasons.

Oak trees representing strength, protection and endurance were typically used for the solstice bonfires. The Saxons and Celts often used the entire trunk of an oak tree and kept it burning for 12 hours on the eve of the solstice. If the fire stayed lit during this period, they believed the household would be protected and have an abundant harvest and good health.

Several cultures believed evergreens symbolized immortality, protection and future prosperity. They made wreaths and decorated their homes with boughs of fir, cedar, and pine.

Small gifts for the gods of the sun, earth and harvest were hung in pine trees. Some believe this evolved into the tradition of decorating evergreen trees for Christmas. 

A bit more information:  Yews, symbolizing death and the last day of the solar year, as well as the silver fir, symbolizing winter solstice and rebirth, and the birch representing new beginnings were also part of the solstice celebrations of the past.

Tags

trees pin-oak red-oak swamp-white-oak white-oak yew white-fir red-pine bur-oak scotch-pine balsam-fir fraser-fir limber-pine lacebark-pine austrian-pine jack-pine

Related

Audio

Hiring an Arborist, Tree Care Professional Arborist

Audio

Increase Winter Survival of Trees

Audio

Unique Bark on Trees Provides Year-round Beauty

Audio

Red and White Oaks

Audio

Preventative Pest Control on Trees and Shrubs

Audio

Concolor Fir in the Garden or Christmas Tree Stand

Audio

Don’t Wrap Tree Trunks When Planting or Preparing for Winter

Audio

Low Maintenance Pest-free Ginkgo biloba Tree

Audio

Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs Blooming in Fall

Audio

Live Oak Tree (Quercus virginiana)

• « Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• ...
• 26
• 27
• Next »