The closest thing we have to a native Christmas tree is the often broccoli-shaped Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). But the Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) is the classic Christmas tree. Despite it being present in Britain during the last interglacial period, it is not considered native. It did not return to Britain after the most recent thaw, waiting instead for human assistance in the 16th century. And it wasn’t until 1841, when Prince Albert brought a Norwegian spruce across from the European mainland to remind him of Christmas in Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, that the Christmas tree became a traditional part of our celebrations.
The early Vikings also placed a tree at the centre of their midwinter festivities. I’m currently shooting Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla
and it has focused my attention on Viking tree worship. The Viking midwinter festival Jóloblót celebrated the rebirth of the Sun. It later became known as Yule. Central to these celebrations was a ‘Yule tree’ and ‘Yule log’. The tree represented eternal life with its evergreen needles, while the log, which was set alight, stood for the need for warmth in the world. When King Haakon I of Norway began to Christianise his people in the 10th century, Yule came to coincide with Christmas. The Christmas tree was one of the pagan elements that remained.
It’s likely the Vikings also used the Norwegian spruce for their Jóloblót trees, but they put it to other uses, too. They used the edible leaf tips, which are high in Vitamin C, to make beer and loaded their longships up with it to help stave off scurvy.
During the first 25 years of its life, the Norwegian spruce grows with a striking rapidity. It can grow up to a metre each year, and possesses a beautifully straight grain.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in