The traditional Christmas tree on the Grand-Place in Brussels was cut down this Wednesday morning. It is a Nordmann of around twenty meters growing in Rixensart, in Walloon Brabant. A gift from a couple who does not hide their emotion.
Every year, the city of Brussels places a tree in the middle of the Grand-Place for Winter Fun. This year, we will be able to admire a majestic 32-year-old Nordmann fir, measuring 20 meters high. This Wednesday morning, workers cut down the tree, while a crane loaded it onto a truck. The scene was observed with great attention by Anita, she planted the tree 32 years ago when it was still very small: “Someone gave it to me, the person didn’t know how to put it in their garden. There were small roots. I told myself I’m not going to throw away a tree, I’m planting every little plant. I never thought this little thing would become like this after 32 years“.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the imposing size of the tree began to pose a problem: “It was starting to scare me. With the high winds, it was coming so close to the roadway, I didn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t want anything to happen. The only thing I found was is to offer it at the Grand-Place”, she explains.
I don’t like cutting down a tree
Despite everything, Anita cannot hide her emotion when it is time to say goodbye to her tree: “I’m sad because I don’t like cutting down a tree, I’m very respectful of trees, but it’s not the ideal place.” The Rixensartoise has still decided to replant a tree, but she wonders if she will be able to see it grow, like her tree: “We’re getting older, I wonder if I’ll see him grow up again. It still does something to me“, she says with a lump in her throat. “It is an honor and a pride. He grew up with us, with our family.”
Christmas tree Brussels Grand Place Rixensart Winter Pleasures
