Workers put up a 20-meter tall Christmas tree in Grand Place in Brussels

"The Nordmann has the advantage of having more flexible branches, which is ideal in this type of case. The thorns hold longer, and with its dark, slightly glossy color, it has a much more luxurious feel than a simple Christmas tree,” said Pierre Demesmaeker, manager of three nursery operator Inter-Arbo, which was also in charge of the Brussels Christmas tree last year.

“From a technical point of view, it's considerably less complicated,” says Demesmaeker. “We'll still have to decorate it, but that's out of our hands".

After its "second life" in the Grand Place, the tree will even go on to have a third, as it will be recycled into furniture for events or into medals for participants in the BXL Tour.