Dortmund prepares for world's largest Christmas tree installation

Construction has begun on the foundation for the world's largest Christmas tree at Hansaplatz in Dortmund, Germany. The 45-meter-tall structure, which weighs approximately 40 tons, is composed of roughly 1,200 spruce trees from the Sauerland region.

The installation features a four-meter-tall angel at its peak and is illuminated by 138,000 LEDs using approximately 11 kilometers of cabling. Due to its scale, the structure includes a dedicated sprinkler system for fire protection and is classified legally as a 'flying construction' (fliegender Bau), requiring oversight from building authorities.

A tradition in Dortmund since 1996, the massive display is expected to be fully decorated and lit by late November, serving as a central attraction for the city's Christmas market.