Dam Square Christmas tree donated to the elephants of Artis Zoo
By Rachel Deloughry
The 21-metre-tall Christmas tree on Dam Square is typically an iconic sight in Amsterdam over the festive season. The tree is strikingly tall and wide, requiring 40.000 energy-efficient LED lights to illuminate it. Many people may be wondering what happens to the Nordmann fir once it has fulfilled its festive purpose.
A new home for the Christmas tree
The tree was taken down on Tuesday, January 8 and it will be donated to the animals at the zoo in Amsterdam, Artis. The main part of the tree – the trunk with some branches still attached – will be given to the elephants as a toy. The rest of it will be given to other zoo animals, such as giraffes, kudus and camels.
The tree is valuable to these animals. A spokesperson for Artis said: “For the animals, such a tree is behavioural enrichment. You keep the animals active and healthy by challenging them to show their natural behaviour.”
Never just a Christmas tree
The Dam Square Christmas tree, grown in the German Ardennes, is usually put to good use afterwards: two years ago the enormous tree was turned into perfume called DEN.
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Lifestyle editor at IamExpat for the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Rachel has her finger on the pulse of what's happening in the realm of festivals, exhibitions, concerts and markets. She received her Master of Music from Utrecht Conservatory and before that, earned a Bachelor of Music in Ireland. She is passionate about music, painting and design.Read more