Feather Trees

As part of our mission to preserve the heritage and history of Hermann, we decorate the farm with traditional German Christmas decorations every year, and you'll find feather trees placed on tabletops in the Teubner-Husmann and Rasche houses.

The first artificial Christmas tree, feather trees originated in Germany in response to deforestation, which was widespread in the mid-1800s. Rather than harvesting trees or cutting off the top of mature firs, people began crafting trees made of feathers to resemble the white pines that grew in that part of Europe. Feather trees were typically made with goose feathers, but turkey or swan feathers were also used, and the feathers would often be painted green to look like pine needles. When Germans immigrated to Hermann, they brought the feather tree tradition with them. We honor that history today here at Hermann Farm.