Feather Trees

The Feather Tree Story

Artificial Christmas trees were first produced over 100 years ago. During the latter part of the 19th century, Christmas trees were becoming ever more popular for the celebration. However, there was a growing concern that the forest was being depleted of trees during the holiday season. With the advent of the “goose feather” Christmas tree, some of the problems concerning deforestation were solved.

Feather trees were the first artificial Christmas trees. Made in Germany to resemble the white pines of the German forestland, they have wide spaces between their branches that make them great for showing off Christmas ornaments!

German immigrants brought the earliest feather Christmas trees to America as an integral part of their celebration. Many goose feather trees were “tabletop trees,” so they were easily transported to America along with other Christmas traditions.

Goose feathers were the feather of choice for feather trees as they are today. Goose feathers are wrapped around stiff wire to become the branches of the trees. These branches are then attached to a wooden rod, the trunk of the tree. The trunk is then inserted into a stable base for support. Red berries or candleholders are placed at the tips of the branches.

Some early examples of feather trees can still be found today. Collectors decorate them with antique Christmas ornaments made from wax, paper scraps, tinsel and glass. But, many deteriorated, having been stored away in hot attics or damp basements. People who didn’t recognize their heritage and value simply discarded others.

Information About Our Trees

All of our feather trees are handmade and are quality reproductions using actual goose-feathers. The strong wire and extra sprouts will support many more of your favorite ornaments. The fine craftsmanship and use of quality materials make our feather trees a wonderful value.

Care of Your Goose Feather Christmas Tree

With proper care, your goose feather tree can be a part of your Christmas celebration for many years. Here are some tips:

• When unfolding and refolding the branches of a goose-feather tree, it is best to grasp the branch at its base near the trunk of the tree. The same should be done for the “sprouts,” the short branches attached near the tips of the main branches.

• Note that “spouts” are ornamental in character so heavy ornaments should not be hung from them.

• Over time, displaying a goose feather tree in a bright, sunlit window can cause fading of the color of your tree. One can see that this has happened to almost all of the antique feather trees.

• Before storing a goose feather tree, it is a good idea to vacuum the dust from the tree using the soft brush of your vacuum cleaner, on its lowest power setting.

• Store your goose feather tree in a place with a normal room temperature. Hot attics or cold, damp basements will shorten the life expectancy of the tree. Before storing, cover the tree with a lightweight cloth like a pillow case or bed sheet. This will allow the tree to breathe and keep the dust from settling on it. Do not use plastic bags since they tend to hold moisture, which can damage the tree.