Oslo fells London's annual Christmas tree in decades-old tradition

From an Oslo forest comes the Christmas gift Norway gives Britain every year - a towering tree for London's Trafalgar Square, a token of gratitude for British support during World War Two.

Norway's exiled king and government fled Nazi occupation and took refuge in the British capital from 1940 to 1945, building lasting bonds between the two countries. The Christmas tradition, which began in 1947, leaves little to chance. Suitable trees are identified years in advance and receive special care to secure the best conditions. Only one in 20 makes the final cut.

On Tuesday, with British and Norwegian officials attending and children singing Christmas carols, a 24-meter (79-foot) spruce was felled in drizzling rain and chilly temperatures. "In a time of turmoil and uncertainty, to have this tradition continuing for decades is a very important sign of stability, of friendship between nations, of dialogue and real commitment to understanding other people," said the Lord Mayor of Westminster Ruth Bush.

The tree, around 85 years old and certified as disease-free by a Norwegian regulator, will travel by lorry and ship across the North Sea before reaching Trafalgar Square. The tree has its own Twitter handle (@trafalgartree) and will be lit on Dec. 5.