Majestic Oslo tree felled in Heiðmörk

Ritstjórn
The mayor showed professional skill in felling the tree. Róbert Reynisson
Mayor Heiða B. Hilmisdóttir fells the Oslo tree in Heiðmörk, 2025. Close-up of her, full body, sawing the tree.

Heiðmörk provided a picturesque backdrop at noon today when Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir felled the Oslo tree that will adorn Austurvöllur during the holidays.

After being outfitted with safety gear from the Forestry Service for the task, the mayor was assisted by Sævar Hreiðarsson, a forest ranger with the Reykjavík Forestry Association, in sawing and felling the tree. When measured, the tree was found to be about 12 meters tall — a Sitka spruce.

Mayor Heiða B. Hilmisdóttir was assisted by Sævar Hreiðarsson, a forest ranger with the Reykjavík Forestry Association, to fell the 2025 Oslo tree. They stand together by the freshly felled tree, wearing safety gear and helmets.

Mayor Heiða B. Hilmisdóttir was assisted by Sævar Hreiðarsson, a forest ranger with the Reykjavík Forestry Association, to fell the tree.

Symbol of friendship

For decades, the city of Oslo gave Reykjavík a Christmas tree as a symbol of the cities' friendship, shared traditions, and Christmas joy. Though the Oslo tree now comes from Heiðmörk, this hasn't changed the friendship; instead of a Christmas tree, Oslo city officials give books to primary schools in Reykjavík. After the felling, attendees and representatives from the Norwegian embassy were offered campfire coffee and pastries.

Elaborate decorations

The Oslo tree will be erected at Austurvöllur with elaborate decorations, as in previous years, to bring joy to residents and other passersby. The Christmas lights on the tree will then be lit during a ceremony on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m.

As is tradition, Reykjavík City is giving a tree to the Faroe Islands, which Eimskip will transport there. That Christmas tree will be lit in Tórshavn on Nov. 29.

A 12-meter-tall Sitka spruce—the 2025 Oslo tree—just after the mayor felled it in Heiðmörk. A person in protective clothing, likely Mayor Heiða, stands by the tree on the right side of the photo.

The 12-meter-tall Sitka spruce will be beautifully decorated at Austurvöllur.