MYCOLOGY
Christmas tree syndrome – should we be concerned?
With the festive season nearly upon us, Dr Neil Bentley takes a look at Christmas tree syndrome, and considers the risks of a live tree in the home or office.
There have been a number of articles and papers over the years where ‘Christmas tree syndrome’ is discussed. The syndrome is defined as a seasonal allergic illness of various intensity caused by the moulds and allergens that are present on live Christmas trees, when they are placed and decorated within a warm and enclosed indoor space. The condition is seen every year and presence of a live Christmas tree certainly increases the amount of mould spores, pollen, terpenes, dust mites, insect droppings, pesticides and other allergens to the room, which may lead to Christmas tree syndrome. However, do we need to be concerned? What is the impact? The available papers and articles will be reviewed to assess the significance and potential impact of this syndrome.
History behind the Christmas tree A little history is required to understand the origins of this tradition, with research suggesting that the tree of paradise, a fir tree decorated with apples within the medieval period were the forerunners of the Christmas tree. These trees served as a central prop in medieval plays to commemorate Adam and Eve on 24 December each year. The apples represented the forbidden fruit from the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil’ and were later replaced by shiny red baubles.1 The modern Christmas tree originated in central Europe and Baltic states during the Renaissance period in the
16th Century. It is suggested that Martin Luther, a protestant Christian reformer, added lighted candles to an evergreen tree. This led to the term ‘Christmas tree’, with one being placed in Strasbourg Cathedral in 1539. The first recorded personal Christmas tree use was thought to be on a keystone sculpture of a private home in Turckheim, part of the Holy Roman Empire (now France), in 1576.2
In Germany the Christmas tree became well established within the early 18th Century. However, within Britain the tradition of decorating a tree for the home was apparently not exercised until the early 19th Century. Queen Charlotte introduced a Christmas tree at a royal party she held for children in 1800. Following on from this, as a child the future Queen Victoria became familiar with Christmas trees and placed one in her room every Christmas. In her journal of Christmas Eve, 1832, the 13-year-old princess wrote: “After dinner we then went into the drawing room near the dining room. There were two large round tables on which were placed two trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments.
Christmas trees have been well established as seasonal decorations since Victorian times.
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