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CHRISTMAS

Vienna Christmas tree given new life

Ever wondered what happens to Vienna’s most famous Christmas tree on the Rathausplatz once the festive season is over? This year the 28 metre high spruce will be recycled and made into new signs for hiking trails in the Vienna Woods.

Vienna Christmas tree given new life
Photo: APA/Neubauer

In previous years the tree has gone on to have a new life as an insect hotel. 

The giant spruce is being dismantled on Wednesday – so keep an ear out for cries of “Baum fällt!” (timber!).

Forestry workers are cutting it down with chainsaws and axes – something which takes a few minutes, compared to the hours it takes to assemble the tree and decorations.

It is hung with LED lights which makes it easier to dismantle, as they don’t break.

Workers strip the tree of its branches and then the trunk is transported to a saw mill in Lower Austria.

There the wood will be dried and made into around 200 signboards, which will be used to help direct hikers around the many trails in the Wienerwald.

Schönbrunn’s Christmas tree will also be taken down in the next few days, and according to tradition will be fed to the zoo animals on Friday.

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