Grand’Place Christmas tree to go up on Friday

The annual Christmas tree to be erected on Grand’Place is on its way to Brussels. The 22-metre spruce was cut down this morning in the Hertogen Forest in the Eupen area of Wallonia (pictured).

The tree, a gift from the Walloon region, is arriving by traditional police escort and will be erected on Friday in the square. The Grand’Place Christmas tree is chosen according to strict criteria.

The tree must be over 20 metres tall, look good from all sides and grow near an access road so that it can be cut down and transported with as little damage as possible. In fact, the tree is not allowed to fall after being cut for fear of branches breaking. It is lowered gently and placed on a transport vehicle using cranes.

Photo courtesy Bruzz