On Saturday, November 16, Reykjavík Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson felled this year’s Oslo Tree in Heiðmörk. Kitted with the necessary safety equipment, Einar was assisted by forester Sævar Hreiðarsson from the Reykjavík Forestry Association in sawing and felling the 13-metre-high tree.
Upon closer inspection, the tree was estimated to be an almost 50-year-old Sitka spruce.
The Oslo tree will be erected at Austurvöllur and lit with holiday lights on December 1 at 16:00. It is a tradition that dates back to 1951, when the City of Oslo first gifted Reykjavík a Christmas tree as a symbol of the two cities’ friendship, shared traditions and festive spirits. These days, the Oslo tree is sourced locally from Heiðmörk. In place of a tree, Oslo authorities donate books to Reykjavík primary schools.
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