When was christmas trees first introduced?

For families in North America, Germany and other parts of Europe, the Christmas tree is the symbol of the Christmas season. Other evergreens have been a part of midwinter festivals long before Christ. They played a symbolic part because they stayed green and alive when other plats appeared dry and bare. They represented everlasting life and hope they would receive good fortune and health in return. The use of evergreens and trees was and is most widespread in England and Germany. It can be traced back at least 500 years, when religious meaning began to be associated with these plants.