At 11:10 am on Friday 18 November, one of the most famous trees in the world began its journey to London.
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| This Years Tree! |
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| The Ostmarka Forest in Norway Where the Tree Comes From |
In the forest of Østmarka just outside of Oslo, a 46 year Norwegian Spruce tree was carefully selected as the 2011 Christmas tree to London.
The Mayor of Oslo - Fabian Stang, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster – CouncillorSusie Burbridge, made the initial ceremonial cut before forestry workers completed the felling of the tree.
In the spirit of Christmas, children from the local Lutvann Primary school, the Oslo International school and St Mary’s Primary school from London, sang Christmas carols before and after the tree-cutting ceremony. The annual gift from the city of Oslo is a token of gratitude for the assistance given to Norway from 1940 to 1945. When it reaches Trafalgar Square, the tree is carefully erected and decorated with ornaments and strings of lights (energy efficient light bulbs). A plaque at the foot of the tree reads:
‘This tree is given by the city of Oslo
as a token of Norwegian gratitude to
the people of London for their
assistance during the years 1940-1945.
A tree has been given annually since 1947’
as a token of Norwegian gratitude to
the people of London for their
assistance during the years 1940-1945.
A tree has been given annually since 1947’
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree forms the focal point for the traditional singing of Christmas carols in the Square. The tree will leave Norway for the UK on Monday 21 November.
Credits WWW.FCO.GOV.UK Copy and Text
Video of Last Years Tree Cutting Ceremony
