This year’s Christmas tree for Prague will come from the village of Semily (Liberec Region) in the north of the Czech Republic. The 24-meter spruce was selected by experts from some forty-two trees, suggested by the public.

The market organizing firm Taiko looks for trees that are in danger of being cut down in the near future. This way, the impact of cutting down the tree is minimal as it was already destined to come down. The tree is also disposed of in an ecological way after the holiday season is over, usually by being turned into mulch and reused.

“It is beautiful spruce that has grown in height in a private garden, so it has wonderful branches and is even,” said Petr Hozák of Taiko.

A poor quality tree fell in Old Town Square in 2003, leading to the serious injury of a British tourist. A different firm ran the holiday market at the time. The risk of a similar incident makes it important that experts agree on the health and stability of the tree.