Christmas Tree in History and Legend: The Earliest Authenticated Christmas Tree in Strasbourg (at this time in Germany). A merchant of Strasburg (a Mr Forbes) writes of the residents of the city setting up fir trees in their parlours on which to hang paper cut-outs, apples, wafers, sweets etc.. The tree is visible to passers-by out on the street, catching the particular attention of two young children, who look in to admire the decorations.