Tricky job installing huge Christmas tree at Salisbury Cathedral complete
The Norway Spruce has come from Longleat Forest
Last updated 7th Dec 2022
Salisbury Cathedral's 32ft Christmas Tree is now in place!
The Norway Spruce from Longleat Forest has been installed under the supervision of Richard Pike, the Cathedral's ecclesiastical joiner.
Gyatts of Salisbury delivered the tree.
A team from the Works Yard carefully hoisted the tree into place at the Cathedral's West End on Monday morning,no mean feat given its height and weight!
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 - it's the 32nd time he's installed one!
Next up putting on the finishing touches to give the tree the wow factor!
And with a tree that big Richard needed a lift!
A total of 1,000 LED lights adorn the Norway Spruce which will remain in place until Candlemas (2nd February) - the day on which the Church celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple.
The Cathedral's huge tree was originally grown as a ‘nurse’ tree for small self-seeded oaks. By letting the conifers grown tall, the Longleat forestry team protect 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.