Cedar, Not PineSouthern Christmas Tree Tradition
We were a douglas fir family, but cedar was super common. My neighbor from across the mountain had cedar - and man that would hurt. We were a douglas fir family, but cedar was super common. My neighbor from across the mountain had cedar - and man that would hurt. Origin
In the Appalachian South, cedar trees grew wild along fence lines and pastures. Before store-bought trees and electric lights, families cut one fresh each December, trimming it with paper garlands, berries, and tinfoil stars.
The red cedar’s sharp scent and tough branches made it the tree of choice - not just for practicality, but because it felt like home. For many families, that smell became the smell of Christmas itself.
Notes
Legacy
The cedar Christmas tree remains a hallmark of Southern memory - a simple, hand-cut symbol of holidays spent close to home, when the only twinkle came from tinfoil and candlelight.
Related Pages
- Folklore: If You Drop a Dishrag, Company’s Coming - Southern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore
- Folklore: If Your Nose Itches, Company’s Coming - Southern Superstition and Appalachian Folklore
- Folklore: Never Plant Vegetables That Sound Alike Together - Southern Gardening Folklore
- Folklore: Woolly Worms Predict Winter - Southern Weather Folklore
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 8). Cedar, Not Pine
Southern Christmas Tree Tradition . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/cedar-not-pine-southern-christmas-tree-tradition - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cedar, Not Pine
Southern Christmas Tree Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com, 8 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/cedar-not-pine-southern-christmas-tree-tradition. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Cedar, Not Pine
Southern Christmas Tree Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com. October 8, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/cedar-not-pine-southern-christmas-tree-tradition.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
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