Cathedral is 'spruced' up for Christmas

Tuesday, 6 December 2022 00:00

Salisbury Cathedral's 32ft Christmas Tree is now in place!

The Norway Spruce from Longleat Forest went in yesterday (Monday 5 December) under the supervision of Richard Pike, the Cathedral's ecclesiastical joiner.

A team from the Works Yard carefully hoisted the tree into place at the Cathedral's West End in the morning - no mean feat given its height and weight - and by afternoon it was glowing with over 1000 LED lights.

Salisbury Cathedral Christmas Tree preparations. Picture: Finnbarr Webster

The tree was delivered to the Cathedral at 08.00 by Guyatts of Salisbury and was craned into position inside. Raising it to a vertical position and securing it is a tricky business and requires a lot of experience and skill. Fortunately, Richard Pike has plenty - this 32ft tree is the 32nd tree he has put in place here.

Salisbury Cathedrals Tree is maneuvered into place (Video: Salisbury Cathedral)

The Cathedral's massive 2022 tree was originally grown as a ‘nurse’ tree for small self-seeded oaks. By letting the conifers grow tall, the Longleat forestry team protects the little oaks as they develop, using the taller trees to shield them from frost and bad weather, and creating a microclimate in which they can flourish.

The tree will remain in place until Candlemas (2 February), the day on which the Church celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

Feature Image: Finnbarr Webster

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