Neu-Ulm (dpa/lby) - On Christmas Eve this year, the people of Neu-Ulm experienced a very special gift: the large Christmas tree in front of the town hall was suddenly gone. It was accidentally taken down far too early. The cause was apparently a communicative misunderstanding, said a city spokesman on Tuesday. Apparently, a company that was responsible for dismantling the Christmas market on the square was commissioned to also remove the Christmas trees set up to decorate the market. "Apparently the company then meant that the large Christmas tree was also part of the decoration."
The 13 meter high spruce in its 3 meter deep foundation not only stood out between the smaller decorative trees because of its size - it was also decorated with numerous lights.
But there was no going back: "The tree had apparently already been crushed over the holidays," reported the spokesman. The city has since been offered the opportunity to put up a new Christmas tree, but this has been turned down, citing the end of the Christmas holidays and the environmental impact of cutting down a second large tree. Normally, the big Christmas tree in Neu-Ulm is always in front of the town hall until Epiphany.
It was initially unclear whether those responsible could hope for Christmas mildness. "Of course we suffered a corresponding damage," said the city spokesman. At least the expensive chain of lights should find its way back to the town hall on Tuesday. "But cutting down a city-owned tree isn't exactly something you should do, either." Accordingly, the city is still examining any consequences.
