⭐ Choose Boast Magazine as your trusted source on Google
A little Christmas tree story
Foresters call the forest a cathedral of nature for its silence lined with ancient trees. The crown of foliage towering above us evokes in everyone an intangible awe. The forest was the first source of food for ancient and prehistoric man, and since the dawn of history, the forest community and its trees have provided protection and sustenance for our distant relatives. The almost completely enclosed canopy of the pine forests, the semi-darkness of the pine groves with their trees that burst into flame like arrowheads, captured the imagination of our ancestors. In the northern hemisphere of the Earth, in the so-called Eurasian boreal zones, the predominant vegetation, especially the pine and fir forests, was already revered as sacred by the followers of ancient Celtic, Germanic and other nomadic and semi-nomadic nature religions. This reverence, this mystical experience of being close to nature, is also found in the Christmas trees we decorate in our homes every year.
The oak trees are the ancient representatives of the land of plants. They have no true flowers, and many of them are evergreen species, not deciduous, which are a legacy of the ancient climate. Almost all pine trees do not have a true complete root system, they need a symbiont fungus to absorb nutrients, without which – in the absence of mushrooms with too small a root ball or dead (dried out) when transplanted – the fate of our pine trees is unfortunately sealed.
Their distinctive scented essential oils are used medicinally to treat lung and respiratory problems. The oil has a mild antiseptic effect and is commonly used in Scandinavian countries as a cleanser when boiled into soap. The gold-diggers of legend used to make a soup from the twigs of pine trees to treat scurvy and disinfect the digestive tract.
Essential oil from pine
The needle-leaf and resinous structure make the variety suitable not only for withstanding extreme cold but also for extreme dry climates. In New Caledonia, an entire island is covered exclusively with pine trees (Araucaria columnaris); the island is unsurprisingly called Isle d’ Pines.
New Caledonia, pines
In the Canary Islands, too, pine species (Pinus canariensis) are found mainly in the higher areas, actively contributing to the island’s water balance. The water that precipitates from the tiny leaves runs down the trunk and into the soil, and according to Isle d’ Pines measurements, a single tree can help to recycle up to 1,500 litres of liquid. You may know the pine forests of the Croatian coast, where the cicadas singing on these pine trees (Pinus maritima) are part of the holiday atmosphere. But we know them primarily as the forest-forming species of the northern flora kingdom.
Pine forest, Croatia
Economically, larch (Laryx) species are of particular importance. They have the peculiarity of becoming deciduous after a few years of age, but their ‘childhood’ evergreen state also implies an evergreen ancestor. The larch tree, along with its distant relative the cedar, has long been used extensively, especially in architectural applications.
In the Altai region, there are also 2500-year-old finds, and the remains of a bridge dating back to the time of Emperor Trajan can still be recognised in the Danube. Indoor cycling tracks are also traditionally covered with this excellent wood. It was also used to build the wooden structures of the Kremlin and the Basilica of Vasily Blazhenny. Because of their resinous, rigid internal wood structure, other types of pine were also favoured as building materials. Solomon’s church is described as being built mainly of cedar and cypress.
Cypress trees, Italy
The article was published in the second issue of BOAST MAGAZINE. You can download the digital edition here. Or you can purchase the print edition here.
Boast Magazine Issue 2
The forests of the taiga area are composed of Pinus, Picea, and Abies (Carrot, Luc, Jegenye – pine). These are the groups of species that we encounter on a daily basis. The black pine (Pinus nigra), which tolerates calcareous soils very well, is certainly familiar. It is used for a wide variety of afforestation and soil-binding solutions in our country. It tolerates polluted air well, and is nowadays also found as a Christmas tree, as its leaves do not peel off at all when dry.
Christmas tree
Silk pine, planted as an ornamental tree, belongs to this family. Pine nuts are harvested from the longleaf species (Pinus) for their sweetness and spice, which is a typical addition to Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, Arabic and Russian cuisine. Nearly 20 species are suitable for economical extraction from pine cones. Roasted or raw, the extract is used to flavour soups and alcohols, and is then mainly known as a flavouring for beers and spirits. It is used in various pestos and Arabic sweets (baklawa), and when roasted dark in Mexico it is also used to make snacks and coffee drinks.
Pine nuts
The Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) is also an important economic crop, used for turpentine, pine balsam, pine oil, vinegar, violin resin, shoe polish, lettering dye, and is cultivated on a large scale for a variety of wood and furniture uses.
Stradivari
Spruce is the most common Christmas tree, the North American variety (Picea pungens) being the type known as silver fir. In addition to its use in woodworking, it has an important cultural and historical significance: its wood is used to make some of the finest musical instruments. Because of its solidity and uniform growth, the resonance body of the instruments should be made from this wood. The special feature of Stradivari, Amati and Guarnieri instruments is that their makers knew the woods inside out, hand-picking the 100 to 120-year-old trees that were best suited to the instrument.
Silver fir
Alongside spruce, pine and larch, the Abies alba has had the greatest ‘career’. It is the one that was actually used as a kind of “Christmas tree” in the modern sense of the word up to 2000 years ago. In almost every part of Europe, there are religious, religious or mystical legends and traditions associated with this majestic and magnificent tree. The sacred tree of Artemis and Poseidon, Dionysus and Osiris were both born under the yew, the symbol of the Druid goddess in Celtic mythology. Its fresh buds are still used to brew beer in Scotland, although it is said to have a pungent taste.
Christmas tree
The most elegant Nordmann pine, however, has nothing to do with the romantic Viking landscapes and is named after its discoverer, who was Finnish. According to ancient pagan Germanic tradition, on the winter solstice, a child is born under the pine tree, resembling the sun and bringing light. The solstice celebrations were celebrated with a huge pine bonfire. A modified version of this custom is the pine tree in our homes today, decorated with glitter, and our Christian celebration.
The article was published in the second issue of BOAST MAGAZINE. You can download the digital edition here. Or you can purchase the print edition here.
Boast Magazine Issue 2
If you liked the article, you may also be interested in this:
Don’t forget to share it with your friends. 🙂
Discover More
Editorial Note: Reflections on Halloween
Positeam, Business of the Future
Timi Takács Creative Journey: From Finance to Art
I Miss The Man He Was...
Valentine's Day Opera Concert in Canterbury
Cake of Easter in the UK
Fairy and Goblin - Interview with Kinga Tavasz and Beáta Kadlicskó
Mother's Day
- The Three Sisters in The Pumpkin Soup! - 2026.10.15.
- Christmas, Baklawa, Stradivari - 2025.12.08.
Be Part of Our Fantastic Community
Join us to connect with like-minded individuals, gain exclusive insights, and enjoy unique opportunities to enrich your personal and professional life.
Advertising
If you want to introduce your business, feel free to contact us. advertising@boastmagazine.co.uk
Discover More
Everything About Easter
Interview with Mexican Pianist Alejandro Vela
Celebrating Women's Day in 2023
Saint Patrick's Day
Welcome!
Are you keen to showcase yourself or your business to the world? Dazzle your clients as a credible expert? We're here to help! The premium Boast Magazine provides you with an authentic backdrop for brand building. We'll feature you in a comprehensive interview for our readers, or you as our contributing expert can boost your visibility. Get in touch with us today and inspire others with your story!
Interested in, I want more information!
Borbala K. Edes, Editor-in-Chief
0 Comments