The holiday season sparks a significant increase in consumer spending. This year, Black Friday alone saw consumers shell out a record US$11.8 billion. It's the time of year when many Americans make purchases to decorate for the holidays - lights, ornaments and Christmas trees.
What you might not appreciate is that conifers, which grow and thrive all year alongside other evergreens, have played some surprising roles in U.S. history. Take the eastern white pine. It decorated the first coins minted in the British colonies. Spruce lumberjacks in the early 20th century, meanwhile, helped enshrine some key labor rights, including an eight-hour workday and overtime pay. These tales and more are highlighted by Trent Preszler, an environmental economist at Cornell University,
From beetles to flies, moths and spiders, firs can be magnets for creepy crawlies. 'We've seen significantly higher insect numbers throughout 2025 due to the warm weather,' she said. 'There's a good chance your Christmas tree could be carrying some unexpected passengers.' Despite the potential for more insects this year, there's no need to skip the real tree tradition, she explained. It only takes a few extra precautions to ensure your celebrations remain pest-free.