Christmas Tree Ornaments Idea - Nativity Scrolls

I know it may be a bit early to be thinking about Christmas tree ornaments for this years tree but just in case you are looking for something new and interesting to hang on your tree this year I´ve come across an interesting ornament idea that might interest you. They are called Nativity Scrolls. Each scroll has a special text written in both Hebrew and in English with an elegant calligraphy.

"These scrolls are inspired by the event of Christ's birth and the numerous prophecies in the Bible, foretelling hundreds of years beforehand, who the Messiah would be and how he would come into this world." - quote from Papuan Lass´s Etsy shop.

Norway Spruce - Picea abies

The Norway Spruce tree (species: Picea abies) is native to most of Europe from the Pyrenees mountains north to Norway and east all the way to Russia and the Balkans. It is widely used as a Christmas tree as it is fairly easy to grow in a wide variety of growing conditions. It is also comercialy exploited for its wood which sometimes sold under the names "Baltic Whitewood" and "White Deal".{1} It is a soft wood that is used in paper production as well as in inexpensive furniture.
This tree species is also widely planted in parks and gardens as an ornamental tree. Among is many cultivars are; Pyramidata, Pendula, Inversa, Cupressina, Viminalis, Tuberculata, Argentea, Finedonensis, Laxa, Cincinnata and Cranstonii. In some regions that tree can reach heights of up to 45 meters (147 feet).
The top image above of the complete Norway Spruce tree was taken in southern Germany near the Black Forrest. The rest of the images were taken in the small ski resort town of "La Molina" that is a few hours drive north of Barcelona, Spain.
The cones of the Norway Spruce are long and thin (they get a bit wider at full maturity when the scales open up to release the seeds). Most of the cones that I have seen are 4-6 inches in length. They are the longest of the Picea genus.
Common names for this tree in other languages; Spanish- Picea común or Picea de Noruega, French - épicéa commun, Italian - picea comune, German - Fichte.

Check out a Norway Spruce tree in Madrid that has been taken over by green parrots.

1. Arboles de España y de Europa, David More and John White, Ediciones Omega. 2003.

European Silver Fir - Abies Alba

The European Silver Fir (species name: Abies alba) has the distinction of being the first tree species that was used as a Christmas tree in Europe. The tradition of using a small conifer tree with decorations originated in the upper Rhineland region of Germany and in the area around Basel, Switzerland. The name Silver Fir I believe comes from the fact that when this tree is viewed from below the white stripes on the undersides of the leaves give the tree a silverish color.
The difference between the European Silver fir and the Nordmann fir (which is now a more common Christmas tree in Europe and is becoming popular in the US) lies in the arangement of the needle like leaves. The leaves of the Abies alba have a flat arrangment as opposed to the Abies nordmanniana which has leaves that grow in all directions from the branch.
The tips of the leaves on the European Silver fir are rounded and not sharp which is a plus for a Christmas tree species. Also if you look closely the leaves have a small notch on the ends.
The range of the Abies alba extends from the Pyrenees mountains of Eastern Spain north to Normandy and East to the Balkans. The pictures for this post were taken in the town of "La Molina" in Cataluña (which depending on who you ask is an autonomous region of Spain or a region in its own right that wants to be a nation)

Another tree used as a Christmas tree is the Norway Spruce.

Looking for a new Christmas tree ornament idea? Check out these "Nativity Scrolls"

Christmas trees in Europe

1. European Silver Fir

The European Silver Fir (Abies Alba) has the distinction of being the first tree species used as a Christmas tree. It is similar to the Nordmann fir except that its needles spread out horizontally. It is native to south central Europe.

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2. Nordmann Fir

The Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) is currently one of the Christmas tree favorites in Europe. It is valued for its beautiful conical shape, its resistance to drought (does not drop is needles as fast as most) and for the fact that its needlles have a pleasant color and are not sharp.

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3. Norway Spruce

The Norway Spruce (Picea abies) is another common Christmas tree that is popular due to the fact that it is easier to grow and thus more affordable. Its needles are short and not very sharp although the branches tend to be not as stiff as the firs and its overall shape is not as attractive as the firs.

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4. Blue Spruce

The Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is not native to Europe but has been widely planted and is commonly used as a Christmas tree. It is prized for its blue-green color, its conical shape and its beauty. On the down side it can have sharper needles (not always).

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5. Scots Pine

The Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) is one of the few pine tree species that are used at Christmas trees both in Europe and in North America. It has shorter needles than most pines and can have a good conical shape when young.

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6. Spanish Fir

The Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) is rare and thus not used as often for a Christmas tree. It does have a splendid beauty and a great conical shape when young. It is also fairly drought resistant and has stiff branches with short stiff needles. The needles can be a bit sharp however.

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Looking for a new Christmas tree ornament idea? Check out these "Nativity Scrolls"