Christmas Tree on Wilhelminaplein
Leeuwarden
This year, Leeuwarden will receive a ten-metre-tall Christmas tree with a remarkable story.
Take a look
On the initiative of the Binnenstad District Panel and City Centre Management – on behalf of the local businesses – and in cooperation with the Municipality of Leeuwarden, a sustainable Christmas tree with roots will shine on Wilhelmina Square from Saturday 6 December. It is a tree that will not be felled, but will continue to grow, and can therefore be decorated again in the years to come.
While many cities display a newly cut Christmas tree each year, Leeuwarden has chosen a different approach. The tree placed on Wilhelmina Square this year is a Nordmann fir of around ten metres tall, specially cultivated to be replanted and to last for many years in a sturdy, reusable container.
A new circular tradition
The tree arrives in Leeuwarden on Wednesday 3 December, where it will be given a central place on Wilhelmina Square in a container made to measure specifically for this purpose. The structure is solid and sustainably designed so it can be used for several years. After around three to five years – depending on the health of the tree – it will be planted in a permanent location within the municipality. A new tree can then be placed in the same container.
Care and future
The Nordmann fir has been replanted and root-pruned several times at the nursery to keep its root ball compact and strong. This makes it highly suitable for temporary placement in a container. The tree will be securely anchored on the square and neatly finished with sustainable Dutch wood. Including the container and structure, the tree reaches a height of approximately 11.5 metres. It will be decorated with energy-efficient LED lighting that can be used for multiple years.
At the beginning of January, the tree will be carefully removed from the square again, after which the municipality’s outdoor services team will take over its care. This ensures the tree stays healthy and can shine once more on Wilhelmina Square the following year. The final result may not be the largest Christmas tree in the Netherlands, but it is certainly a sustainable one with a remarkable story.
Quiet Leeuwarden
As part of this new Christmas tradition, the tree on Wilhelmina Square is linked each year to a local charity. This year, that charity is Quiet Leeuwarden, an organisation supporting residents living in quiet poverty. Visitors to the Christmas tree can make a donation on the spot via a QR code.
Festive unveiling moment
On Saturday 6 December, the municipality is organising a festive and freely accessible unveiling event at the tree on Wilhelmina Square. At 17:00, the lights will be officially switched on and visitors can enjoy free hot chocolate with whipped cream – along with a generous dose of December cheer.
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