August Imgard

German-American proponent of the Christmas tree Augustus "August" Imgard (1828-1904) was a German immigrant who has been recognized as an early proponent in popularizing the Christmas tree in the United States. He has also been credited with being the first to decorate it with candy canes.

[edit] August Imgard (born in Wetzlar, Germany, on January 8, 1828) emigrated from Germany to Wooster, Ohio, before he was 20 years old and started a tailoring business. In 1847, Imgard cut a blue spruce tree from a wood outside of town, had the village tinsmith construct a star, and placed the tree in his house, decorating it with paper ornaments, gilded nuts, and kuchen. It stood on a slowly revolving platform while a music box played and people came from miles around to view it. Imgard died in 1904, is buried in the Wooster Cemetery, and, every year, a large pine tree above his grave is lit with Christmas lights. Although no longer credited as the first to introduce the Christmas tree to America, Imgard is still recognized as an early proponent. The National Confectioners Association also recognizes Imgard as the first to put candy canes on a Christmas tree. However, as reported by WKYC Studios -- a news station based in Cleveland, Ohio -- the first candy canes were originally all white, with no red stripes. In fact, according to Akron Beacon Journal -- a newspaper publisher based in Akron, Ohio -- white candy canes with red stripes would not become the standard of candy canes for the next half-century -- over 50 years after Imgard first popularized the candy cane.

Even though the Christmas tree is now a staple of British living rooms, its journey across the Atlantic owes a lot to August Imgard. By bringing a modest fir to his Ohio home in the 1850s and dressing it with edible ornaments, he sparked a trend that quickly crossed back to the UK via newspapers and trans‑Atlantic visitors. British families later adopted the practice, swapping candle‑lit candles for electric lights, but the idea of a tree as a centrepiece of festive hospitality can be traced to Imgard’s pioneer spirit. Recognising his contribution helps us appreciate the tree’s evolution from a simple German‑style spruce to the lavish, family‑centred tradition we now celebrate.

If you want to honour Imgard’s legacy, consider adding authentic‑looking candy‑cane ornaments to your tree. Look for hand‑blown glass pieces shaped like tiny shepherd’s crooks or modern reproductions that mimic the red‑white swirl he first used. When choosing, check the weight – lighter ornaments avoid wilting branches – and opt for UV‑protected glass to keep colours bright year after year. Pair them with classic wooden baubles for contrast; the mix of nostalgic sweetness and rustic charm creates a visual story that links today’s tree back to Imgard’s humble, sweet‑adorned pioneer.

Many assume candy canes have always been a Christmas staple, but they were originally simple sugar sticks. Imgard’s innovation was not the invention of the candy cane itself, but the idea of hanging them on a tree as decoration. Contemporary parlour talk often glosses over this nuance, treating the treat as an age‑old tree adornment. Understanding that the practice emerged in the mid‑19th century clarifies why some historic British carols mention “sweetmeats” rather than “candy canes”. It also explains why early British trees were often bare of confectionery – the custom simply hadn’t crossed the pond yet.