From Schifflange to the Heart of Luxembourg City: The Journey of This Year’s Place d’Armes Christmas Tree

In the quiet early hours of Friday morning, a majestic 12-metre-high Nordmann fir was carefully cut down in a residential neighbourhood in Schifflange, beginning its journey to become the official Christmas tree of Luxembourg City’s Place d’Armes.

The impressive tree, around 35 years old, was donated by the Pleim family, whose home garden had hosted the fir for decades. Selected by the City of Luxembourg’s Parks Department, the tree stood out for its perfectly straight trunk and dense, full branches — ideal for the capital’s festive centrepiece.

Under the supervision of Christian Joly from the city’s Green Spaces Department, eight employees arrived before sunrise to safely fell and transport the tree. Using a mobile crane and special loading platform, they ensured no branches were damaged as the trunk was cut and lifted. “We put the tree under slight tension so it doesn’t tip or break,” explained Joly.

Once secured, the tree was gently placed onto a special vehicle, strapped tightly for the journey. Travelling along the motorway at 70 km/h, the Nordmann fir made its way to Luxembourg City, arriving an hour later without incident.

For Rita Pleim-Zurek, whose family donated the tree, the event was bittersweet yet joyful. “It had grown too big and caused some moisture damage to the wall,” she said, noting that removing it privately would have cost over €1,000. Still, she expressed pride: “I’m happy knowing that thousands of people will admire our tree at the Place d’Armes.”

Once in the capital, workers trimmed the trunk for stability and installed the fir in its new home. Soon, the City’s decoration teams will adorn it with fairy lights and festive ornaments, making it the centre of the Christmas market through mid-January 2026.

Each year, Luxembourg City invites residents across the country to donate trees. Between 30 and 40 offers are received annually, but only 11 trees — including the one for Place d’Armes — are selected for public display. The others will brighten neighbourhoods like Clausen, Merl Park, and the municipal theatre square.

When the festive season ends, the tree will be recycled into wood chips and used for heating, ensuring that its story continues sustainably. As Joly noted, “It’s good for the environment — the city gets beautiful local trees, and in the end, they still give warmth in another form.”

What began as a beloved garden tree in Schifflange will soon become the shining heart of Luxembourg’s winter celebrations — a symbol of community, generosity, and festive spirit.
Read More : A Schifflange tree chosen to illuminate the Place d'Armes at Christmas | Comma
Fir tree from Schifflange becomes a prominent Christmas tree | Luxemburger Wort

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