Picking, cutting and decorating your Christmas tree marks the start of the holiday season. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is believed that the modern-day Christmas tree began in Germany to celebrate the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They would hang wafers to symbolize the Eucharist host, the Christian sign of redemption, and candles, symbolizing Jesus Christ as the light of the world, were displayed in homes on December 24.

The decorated version of the Christmas tree gained popularity in the 18th century among German Lutherans then spread to England thanks to Queen Victoria’s German consort, Prince Albert. In 1850, the Christmas tree spread to the U.S. after Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular magazine, published an altered picture of an 1848 illustration of British Royals to make them look American.

There are 32 Christmas tree farms in Mississippi that sell approximately 32,000 trees a year, with Leland cypress and Fraser fir being the most popular, according to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. These farms stretch from the Tennessee line to the Gulf of Mexico, with several winning awards for their production.

Choosing the right Christmas tree is vital. Finding one on a farm near you allows you to choose and cut the perfect tree yourself. Plus, this insures the tree will be healthier and last longer. Find a list of the Mississippi choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms by visiting southernchristmastrees.org.

Once you have chosen that special tree, it’s important to make sure it’s properly cared for so it will bring lasting joy for the whole Christmas season. Here are some tips from John Kushla, Mississippi State University Extension Service forestry specialist, on caring for your tree.

• Place the tree in water as soon as you get home and mount it on the stand no more than eight hours after cutting
• Make a fresh cut about an inch from the base of the tree before placing it on the tree stand
• Buy the best tree stand possible; one that can hold 1-2 gallons of water. Trees can use up to 2 gallons of water a day in the first few days. You will need to check several times a day and refill the tree stand
• Keep the tree out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like heaters, stoves and fireplaces
• When it is time to decorate, choose LED lights and inspect the cords for any cuts, cracks or frays
• Unplug the lights when you leave or go to bed

Create memories that last a lifetime by visiting a Christmas tree farm near you and picking out the perfect tree with your family.

Chris Shivers is the Regional Manager for Region 8 at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.