Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA has recycled Christmas trees into a maze of family fun, now through March 4.
The earliest known labyrinths were designed by the Egyptians approximately 3000 years ago, according to a British labryinth society, and also appear in Greek and Roman mythology.
The Unmuseum, a website that explores “the fringe edges of science,” dates the earliest labyrinths some 5000 years ago, and describes their evolution to use in Middle age churches for prayer walks and times of contemplation. Found inside the church, they were drawn on the floors and never caught on, but they eventually led to labyrinths of turf, and from there into garden mazes. The garden mazes had walls of varying heights that were constructed of hedges. In recent years, temporary corn stalks took the place of hedges.
Just in case you wondered, labyrinths are simply followed, with one way in and one way out; no choices to make, just keep moving your feet. Mazes, on the other hand, are puzzles, requiring many decisions and a certain amount of backtracking, even for an expert. One might not get caught contemplating any of life’s deeper secrets while trying to escape a maze, but prayer can be a beneficial activity, if the maze is large enough.
Now, locals have tree mazes to help pass the time in winter while waiting for sledding weather.
“After the Christmas Tree Maze is over, the trees will be recycled. They’ll be chipped and used as fuel to heat the green house where the miniature golf course, Fore! the Planet, is located. The cost of the maze is $5 or just $4 when you combine it with a round of mini golf.”
Who wants to go?
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