Current:Home > FinanceAP PHOTOS: Estonia, one of the first countries to introduce Christmas trees, celebrates the holiday-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
AP PHOTOS: Estonia, one of the first countries to introduce Christmas trees, celebrates the holiday
View Date:2024-12-23 20:27:05
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Christmas trees started appearing in Central Europe and the Baltic States, including Estonia, as early as the Middle Ages and have now become traditional across much of the world.
Dec. 22 is the shortest day of the year and in Estonia, as in many parts of the world, trees covered with lights brighten up homes and town squares during the Winter Solstice and Christmas festivities afterward.
In order to grow a 2.5-meter (8-foot) Christmas tree, Arvo Palumäe, co-owner of a Christmas tree farm he started 14 years ago, waits 8 years before carefully selecting it, shaping it during the summer months and cutting it for delivery. But while some Estonians buy trees directly from him, they are also able to cut their own.
The State Forest Management Centre provides Estonians with a map of forests showing locations of trees they can cut down themselves. They advise people to avoid trees near power lines and encourage Estonians to plant spruces in the forests to make sure there are Christmas trees for generations to come.
Estonia largely exports trees to the European Union. It also exported Christmas trees to Russia before the country’s invasion of Ukraine stopped trade.
After the holidays, Christmas trees in Estonia are turned into wood shavings or even used to flavor beverages.
veryGood! (19173)
Related
- Solawave Black Friday Sale: Don't Miss Buy 1, Get 1 Free on Age-Defying Red Light Devices
- NCAA Div. I women's soccer tournament: Bracket, schedule, seeds for 2023 championship
- Chinese imports rise in October while exports fall for 6th straight month
- WeWork files for bankruptcy in a stunning downfall from its $47 billion heyday
- What is prize money for NBA Cup in-season tournament? Players get boost in 2024
- Is your financial advisory company among the best? Help USA TODAY rank the top firms
- NCAA Div. I women's soccer tournament: Bracket, schedule, seeds for 2023 championship
- Is your financial advisory company among the best? Help USA TODAY rank the top firms
- 10 Trendy Bags To Bring to All of Your Holiday Plans
- Colorado is deciding if homeowner tax relief can come out of a refund that’s one-of-a-kind in the US
Ranking
- Halle Berry surprises crowd in iconic 2002 Elie Saab gown from her historic Oscar win
- Children who survive shootings endure huge health obstacles and costs
- Keanu Reeves and Girlfriend Alexandra Grant Make Rare Public Outing at Star-Studded Event
- Stories behind Day of the Dead
- Eva Longoria calls US 'dystopian' under Trump, has moved with husband and son
- Nearly 1M chickens will be killed on a Minnesota farm because of bird flu
- Australian central bank lifts benchmark cash rate to 4.35% with 13th hike
- The spectacle of Sam Bankman-Fried's trial
Recommendation
-
Watch as dust storm that caused 20-car pileup whips through central California
-
Abigail Breslin Mourns Death of My Sister’s Keeper Costar Evan Ellingson
-
Félix Verdejo, ex-boxer convicted of killing pregnant lover Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz, gets life sentence
-
German federal court denies 2 seriously ill men direct access to lethal drug dose
-
Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
-
Depression affects 1 in 5 people. Here's what it feels like.
-
Nashville investigating after possible leak of Covenant shooting images
-
Step Inside Olivia Culpo's Winning Bachelorette Party Ahead of Christian McCaffrey Wedding