Test Your Knowledge of the Christmas Tree

(To listen to the podcast version, click here.)

The truth is many of us will set up a Christmas tree this holiday season.

It is also true that many of us who do it have no idea about the origins of the Christmas tree and other bits of Christmas tree details.

And so just for fun here’s a test to see how much you know or don’t know about the Christmas tree and other interesting trivia surrounding it (answers at the bottom)…

1. In which country did the Christmas tree tradition begin?

(a) Ireland; (b) Germany; (c) Israel; (d) Great Britain.

2. Lighted candles (which electric lights would replace at the invention of electricity) were added to a Christmas tree for the first time by which famous religious person?

(a) Pope John Paul II; (b) Mary, the mother of Jesus; (c) Martin Luther; (d) Buddha.

3. Which President banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons?

(a) Ronald Reagan; (b) Barack Obama; (c) Bill Clinton; (d) Teddy Roosevelt.

4. How many people are employed in the Christmas tree industry?

(a) 100,000; (b) 150,000; (c) 200,000; (d) 250,000.

5. How many Christmas trees are produced each year (it takes approximately 6-8 years for a Christmas tree to mature)?

(a) 14-16 million;
(b) 24-26 million;
(c) 34-36 million;
(d) 44-46 million.

6. The tallest living Christmas tree is believed to be a Douglas fir in the town of Woodinville, Washington. How tall is this Christmas tree and how old is it?

(a) 122 feet, 91 years old;
(b) 113 feet, 86 years old;
(c) 114 feet, 87 years old;
(d) 123 feet, 92 years old.

7. The Christmas tree is NOT grown in which of the following states:

(a) Hawaii; (b) Alaska; (c) New Hampshire; (d) A trick question. The Christmas tree IS grown in all 50 states.

Answers: 1 (b); 2. (c); 3. (d); 4. (a); 5. (c); 6. (a); 7. (d).

(This test was developed and based on information from the following website: History of Christmas Trees - History.com)