The magical Christmas tree tour: fir from Wester herself conquers Magdeburg!

The magical Christmas tree tour: fir from Wester herself conquers Magdeburg!

A Christmas story that touches hearts! The magnificent Christmas fir, which is adorning the Magdeburg Christmas market this year, has an eventful history. The passionate gardener Erhard Schirmer, who was born in 1939 and died ten years ago, was the last to know the exact origin and age of the tree. His legacy is now preserved by his grandson Sasko (27), the former daughter-in-law Andine (57) and 69-year-old Jürgen Schemnitzer, who live together in Schirmers Haus and maintain the almost 5,000 square meter garden.

The impressive tree, which is a proud 22 meter high, is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas trees that Magdeburg has seen in the past two decades. Estimated around 50 years ago by Erhard Schirmer, this tree was a real masterpiece. As a gardener and later as a plant leader at Fahlberg list in the GDR, he was known to procure the most beautiful plants, often with clever swapping in times of lack. His treasures also included four Douglas firs, the most beautiful of which are now their last trip.

Logistical masterpiece

On November 1st, the tree is felled and transported to the old market with a car crane and a low loader. This transfer is anything but easy! Due to the overhead lines, a long detour via Schönebeck, the motorways 14 and 2 and Rothensee is necessary. November 1 was deliberately chosen as a bridge day, because only that day can the crane be positioned in the parking lot of the vocational school "Dr. Otto Schlein". The tree reaches its place in the old market slightly earlier than usual and becomes the bright center of the Christmas market.