Oslo city officials are very hopeful that the Christmas tree they sent to London last week will arrive in good condition this year. It’s already been criticized for being a little shabby, but here’s photographic proof that the carefully selected tree was lush and abundant when it was cut down in a local forest on Thursday in a traditional goodwill ceremony between Norway and Great Britain.

The Norwegian tree towards Trafalgar Square is part of Oslo’s annual expression of gratitude for all the help Norway received from Britain during World War II. The Norwegian government spent the war years in exile in London after Nazi Germany invaded the country, and in difficult times like today, the value of long-time allies is higher than ever.

Once again a tree has been selected, this time from the Grefsen region, among the hills and forests that surround the Norwegian capital. Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe hosted the event which began in 1947, while British representatives included the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, and the British Ambassador to Norway, Jan Thompson.

The two British guests symbolically helped with sawing the tree, illustrating some cultural differences in clothing for the occasion. The Lord Mayor wore relatively formal attire, including his official regalia, and Lindboe had joked to the newspaper. Postal posts previously, “it’s always exciting to see what kind of shoes the Lord Mayors wear when they head into the forest.”

The British ambassador was clearly more accustomed to the casual dress of Norwegians, especially when tasks require them to leave the city center. In the meantime, both quickly realized that sawing a tree was difficult work. They were cheered by local schoolchildren and other guests.

Then the tree, full of cones at its top considered a sign of good health, was carefully transported in a truck to a port south of Oslo for its North Sea crossing. This is when Norwegian trees are at risk of damage, but efforts are being made to keep the tree as fresh and full as it was on Thursday.

On this, all the rumors from last year that Oslo would stop sending a tree, because the British I complained about it so muchwere wiped out. Lindboe had previously assured British media that Oslo would continue to send a tree, and the British Embassy in Oslo was quick to express its appreciation for the tree. Lindboe even said she was ready to learn more criticalchoosing to view it as a sign of true friendship. This year, the mayors and the ambassador also planted a new tree to replace the old one.

ALL PHOTOS: Sturlason/Oslo Kommune

TEXT: NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund