While there are a number of Christmas trees around the world that are truly spectacular such as the one at the Rockefeller Center in New York City or the one at the Covent Garden, London or the Galeries Lafayette, Paris one, yet, this Christmas tree is perhaps the most iconic simply for the tradition that surrounds it.
A Christmas tree from the people of Norway arrives every year in Trafalgar Square in London since 1947.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree as it is widely called, is prominently displayed in Trafalgar from the beginning of December until 6 January.
The tradition started as a thank you gesture by Norway for the British support during World War Two.
This year, a 20m-high Norwegian spruce about 70 years old and was chosen as the “queen of the forest” from woodlands around Oslo.
It was felled during a ceremony in November attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce as “spectacular”.
Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by sea, then completes its journey by lorry.
Also as a tradition, The Poetry Society commissions a poem about the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year the poem is called “T for Tree”, by Isabel Galleymore. It is written for children and was read during the tree-lighting ceremony.
The spruce will remain in Trafalgar Square until 5 January, when it will be chipped and composted.
