<P> The Christmas tree is sometimes compared with the "Yule - tree", especially in discussions of its folkloric origins . </P> <P> The relevance of ancient pre-Christian customs to the 16th - century German initiation of the Christmas tree custom is disputed . Resistance to the custom was often because of its supposed Lutheran origins . </P> <P> Other sources have offered a connection between the first documented Christmas trees in Alsace around 1600 and pre-Christian traditions . For example, according to the Encyclopædia Britannica, "The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews . Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmas time ." </P> <P> During the Roman mid-winter festival of Saturnalia, houses were decorated with wreaths of evergreen plants, along with other antecedent customs now associated with Christmas . </P>

When did the first christmas tree come about