Overview
- The 23-metre Nordmann fir was erected on Dresden’s Altmarkt over the weekend and quickly drew public criticism for lacking a clear top and for thin lower branches.
- Dresden authorities say the tree came from Pirna-Neundorf, lost a few branches during transport, and that the affected spots were professionally patched by adding new branches.
- A TAG24 on-site check after the city’s repairs reported the tree still appears oval rather than pyramidal and shows little visible change at ground level.
- Leipzig’s market office reported a separate, minor felling injury to its tree that was wired and repaired immediately and now goes unnoticed, highlighting common risks in moving large trees.
- The Striezelmarkt will open on November 25 and organisers plan to light the tree with a 2,160-metre LED chain and top it with a Herrnhuter star, and past cases show imperfect market trees often trigger social-media mockery and local debate.