This year the Christmas market on the Grote Markt in Groningen will have a Drenthe ‘touch’ of 22 meters high. A tree from Eelde has been selected by ‘Christmas tree selector’ Louis van der Tuin of the Groninger City Club, and can spend Christmas there as the Christmas tree on the market square.
Louis has been selecting the most beautiful trees for thirteen years. “But this is the nicest we’ve ever had,” he says firmly. “Nicely round, completely full and nice and high. That’s what we want.”
Van der Tuin was only able to choose the tree late. Normally the search starts in the summer and people can submit photos. “It was only mid-September when the tree was offered. Then I went to have a look and I was immediately taken aback.”
In previous editions there have been trees of 15 to 16 meters, but this one towers above them. Especially because the trunk in City also goes three meters into the ground. “But this one is 22 meters, which dominates everything,” says Van der Tuin.
The tree was offered by the owner because it posed a possible hazard. Van der Tuin: “It is very close to the house, during storms the tree moves back and forth a lot, so the owner no longer thought it was responsible to leave it standing.”
What is not unsafe is sawing and transport. After the trunk has been freed at the bottom, it is hung in the ropes. The saw is then passed through and the tree is carefully placed on a long trailer.
Next Monday the tree will actually be placed on the Grote Markt. He will stay there for the entire Christmas period. The tree does not have to count on a return to Drenthe.
“No, no, then it goes into the shredder,” laughs Van der Tuin. “People climb in and then it is taken down piece by piece. Then there is firewood left over.”
But first the tree can be fully enjoyed in the city. “It will be a lot of fun during the coming Christmas period on the Grote Markt.”