Trafalgar Square’s famous Christmas Tree is back.
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the annual gift of a Christmas tree to the people of London from the City of Oslo, given as a token of gratitude for British Support to Norway during the Second World War.
The tree will be in Trafalgar Square until Thursday 4 January, the twelfth night of Christmas, before being recycled and used as mulch in gardens around the city.
A symbol of friendship
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is a gift from the City of Oslo to London, a longstanding tradition between our cities.
This year marks the 76th tree Oslo is sending to Trafalgar Square. Standing 19 metres tall and 70 years old, the tree grew in the Nordmarka Forest around the capital city of Norway.
Watch the video to find out about the journey of last year’s tree. The former Mayor of Oslo, Marianne Borgen, explains the friendship, connection and gratitude the tree has come to symbolise.
History
When Norway was invaded in 1940, the King of Norway, Haakon VII, sought refuge in Britain and the Norwegian government-in-exile was established in London.
To most Norwegians, London represented the spirit of freedom during these difficult war years. From London, news broadcasts were made in Norwegian, inspiring the people of Norway and keeping their hope of freedom alive.
The Oslo Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square symbolises the close and warm relationship between the people of Norway and the people of Britain.
The felling ceremony
The tree is approximately 19 metres high, around 70 years old and is a Norwegian spruce from Nordmarka Forest in Oslo. It is generally considered the ‘nation’s Christmas Tree’ and a symbol of enduring friendship and international cooperation with Norway.
The tree was cut down by The Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Patricia McAllister and The Mayor of Oslo Anne Lindboe, during a felling ceremony which took place on Friday 24November.
The journey
The Trafalgar Square tree starts its journey in Oslo’s Nordmarka forest and is driven 100km+ south from Oslo to the port of Brevik, where it’s loaded onto a ship (avoiding any contact with salt water, which could damage it) and sets sail to the UK. After a short stay in customs, it’s another lorry ride to central London.
A specialist rigging team erects it in Trafalgar Square using a hydraulic crane. The tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion, with vertical strings of lights. Energy-efficient light bulbs are used.
