Lifting solutions provider Radius has been busy installing one of the most famous Christmas tree in the UK. The company, which supplies tower cranes/contact lifting and plant movements for the railways, has been installing the Trafalgar Square tree since 2018, undertaking the work on behalf of client CBRE. Radius transport, guard and erect the tree.
Sam Lawrence, Senior Contracts Manager at Radius Group Limited, is extremely proud to be involved in this prestigious event, and is delighted he and his team can be a part of this yearly tradition. Planning for the tree normally begins in the summer with discussions between the client and all subcontractors ascertaining key dates and confirming the processes needed to ensure a smooth delivery.
Sam said:
“Radius are responsible for the safety of the tree once ownership has been passed over from DFDS at Immingham Port. Once the tree is loaded and secured for transit it will be escorted all the way to a secure location for storage, before continuing its journey into London on Installation day.”
The Christmas tree is typically a 70-year-old Norway spruce, generally over 20 metres tall. The tree is cut in Norway in November during a ceremony attended by the British Ambassador to Norway, Mayor of Oslo, and Lord Mayor of Westminster.
Sam said:
“On the day of installation, the Radius crews arrives on the scene bright and early to ensure everything is in place and ready to go. Installation commences on first light normally around 8am. The tree is unloaded from the delivery vehicle and set down on the square where the team can begin to unravel the branches. Not long after the tree is twin lifted into its vertical positioned with the use of, a Terex AC40 City and PM 65 SP PT Lorry loader. Once vertical, the tree will be lowered into the ground before being clamped and secured for decoration.
“The lifting operation normally takes around 2-3 hours from start to finish before being handed back to CBRE for decoration.”
The Christmas tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when it is taken down for recycling. The tree is chipped and composted, to make mulch.