Every December, Christmas traditions take over London – whether you’re in the mood for disappointing light switch-ons, stress-inducing shopping centre trips or Instagram-worthy ice rinks.
Another Christmas tradition is that of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. Since 1947, the people of Oslo have gifted London with a Norwegian spruce tree as a thank-you for Britain’s support during WWII. It’s a thoughtful gesture, but each year the tree provides Londoners with some light comic relief thanks to its appearance.
On Monday, December 2, the 77th Norwegian spruce – also known as the Queen of the Forest – was erected, and it wasn’t long before the taunts rolled in. “It’s here. Well half of it anyway,” said one X user. “Hopefully it looks better when it’s up”,” said another of its flat branches, which typically open up once the tree has recovered from its 39-hour-long journey.
After years of insults, a specialised team have taken matters into their own hands, using a dedicated account for the seemingly sassy tree to fire back at its online critics. “Haters gonna hate, but let’s remember this beautiful tradition and let’s hope it continues forever,” one post reads.
Guess who’s back? Now, before the haters start commenting on my branches, I have had 10 days of beauty sleep - who wouldn’t look a bit flat after that kind of travel, but don’t fret; it’ll fluff up and shine just in time for my big moment🌲💃
— Trafalgar Square Tree (@trafalgartree) December 2, 2024
Are yule coming to see me!? 🎉✨🎉 pic.twitter.com/zZPUS2d7aK
Despite the long-standing tradition, with the yearly criticism of the trees, it’s not difficult to picture that one day in the future Oslo may retract its offer.
As we mark another year of Christmas tree slander, let’s remind ourselves of some of the better (and worse for wear) Christmas trees that have taken centre stage at Trafalgar Square over the years.
2023: Cosmetic surgertree
It seems that even the Norwegian spruce isn’t safe from beauty ideals and the odd cosmetic procedure. After arriving in London with brown, asymmetrical branches, last year’s tree was met with disapproval online. To restore its appearance, tree surgeons hammered additional branches into its trunk. Westminster City Council confirmed the branches were removed before its mammoth journey began.
Here's how the 'hair transplant' works:
— dan barker (@danbarker) December 4, 2023
1. They cut branches off lower down the tree & shape those (see the ground in pic 1).
2. They then use a cherrypicker to manoeuvre around to the bare spots.
3. They hammer those branches in to even it out.
(will put a little video below) pic.twitter.com/A4V737eLOS
After receiving the facelift, praise swept in, with one X user saying it was “probably the best it’s looked in years”. Time will tell if this year’s tree will be going under the knife, too.
2022: Delivered by catapult?
Another year, and more haters. 2022’s 21-metre tree was bullied because of its apparent lack of needles, which some say made it look so straight and narrow that it resembled a cucumber instead of a Christmas tree. Ouch.
Judging by the photos of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree being felled last week in Norway and arriving today, it’s been transported as hand luggage on Ryanair… (Photos @UKinNorway and @danbarker) pic.twitter.com/iEwKkqPuAd
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) November 28, 2022
Others questioned whether the tree was delivered via catapult or Ryanair hand luggage, and asked whether a new transport option could be substituted instead of the nearly 40-hour-long drive the tree currently sets out on.
2021: ‘Are we at war with Norway?’
Once again, 2021’s tree faced a similar fate when it was wheeled onto Trafalgar Square, with X users asking if, unbeknownst to them, the UK had gone to war with Norway. The tree’s X account even joked that its branches were social distancing that year.
I would like everyone to know that half of my branches are not missing..... they are #SocialDistancing. Remember to #StaySafe this #Christmas and wear a face covering (unless exempt) on public transport and while inside shops #TrafalgarTree 🎄😷
— Trafalgar Square Tree (@trafalgartree) December 1, 2021
The online complaints were so bad that Oslo’s council voted on whether the city should send a replacement tree (however they voted against a replacement, claiming that the tree isn’t meant to resemble something pictured in a Disney film).
2020: An awful tree for an awful year
If there was any year we could have done with a bushy, attractive Norwegian spruce, it was 2020. But the pandemic took a toll on that year’s Christmas tree too - with people calling out its deflated, anaemic appearance and lack of needles.
The Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square is even more 2020 than 2020 pic.twitter.com/fFCT6iU1Me
— Olivia Foster (@LivsFoster) December 19, 2020
