The London's largest Christmas tree standing at the Trafalgar Square was a thank you gift from Norway and every year they sent Christmas trees to the London.

It is an historical event in their lives and had become a tradition to thank London from helping Norway after the invasion of German troops during the year 1940 but however the German's mission failed because they cannot surpass King Haakon, the Royal family from a very high profile and respected government.

Until now, Norwegians will never forget what Britain did for Norway and for not letting the German's take their freedom and independent country. And because of this, Norway sent a token of gratitude by sending Christmas tree to London every year. This is to celebrate the Britain's support to Norway for preserving liberty during the World War II.

The Christmas tree had become the symbol to the friendship of Norway and United Kingdom. The Christmas tree sent to London is typically a 50-60 year old tree!

There is a ceremony for cutting the tree and the British Ambassador and Mayor of Oslo attends to witness the cutting of the tree and after the successful event the tree was sent to ship to UK. On the first Thursday in December thousands of people gather in Trafalgar Square to participate in Christmas carols and to see the tree lighting ceremony. The tree lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square includes a band and choir followed by the switching on of the Christmas lights.

"This is a very important tradition for us. It’s historically important but it’s also important for the future. I say that everyone needs friends. Even cities need friends. So, this is a symbol of friendship, peace, dialogue and gratitude,”

The Norwegian spruce can grow up to 50 metres tall. When the tree was in good condition inside 25 years, it can grow up to 1 meter per year. The Norway spruce grows in the forests of southern, eastern and parts of central Norway. But it also grows all across Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe. This is one of the reasons the tree has survived highly-changeable climatic conditions. During cold periods, spruce roots produce low bushes, while in times of milder temperature they become tall, slender trees. The seed cones are the largest of any spruce. Typically measuring 9 to 17cm long, the cones have blunt-to-sharp triangular pointed scale tips. They mature around 5-7 months after pollination.

When it reached around 20 meters, the growth rate slows. They have narrowly tapered crown and branches that often hang and sway. One of the most fascinating facts about the spruce in Norway is that they can live for hundreds of years and the roots last even longer.

What would happen to the Christmas tree tradition in this pandemic?

For the last 70 years, the city of Oslo used to send a giant Norwegian Christmas tree every December to London in appreciating the good deeds of UK to their nation. But unlike before, there is no city ceremony and people caroling in the crowd to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree due to pandemic and Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. The Lord Mayor of Westminster Jonathan Glanz, plans to travel to Norway for the ceremony but he wasn't able to attend it due to the Covid-19 flying restrictions.

Norway and UK shows that a friendship and gratitude last longer and they would remain forever, no matter what will happen or how the time passes by, the friendship will still remain and would become a tradition that would be kept forever.

Merry Christmas everyone and comment down the person whom you had the longest and memorable friendship throughout your lifetime 👇♥️