A 40-year-old tree has been picked and is making its way down the country to be showcased in front of the world as a Christmas tree in London.

The giant 43-foot Sitka spruce was selected by Forestry England experts from the 150 million growing in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, to stand at the foot of Big Ben during the festive period.  

Picked for its fulsome foliage and eye-catching proportions, the tree was carefully felled and delicately extracted from England’s biggest woodland.

It was then pulled through a mega-sized baler and wrapped for its protection before being hoisted onto a low loader for a 330-mile trip to the UK capital.

Richard Cooper, from Forestry England, explained:“We’ve put a lot of work into picking just the right specimen. But no matter how many years we do this it’s still a bit nerve-wracking watching the tree being felled. 

"It’s vital we keep everything intact to preserve its film-star looks. Kielder has been asked to supply the Big Ben tree for over twenty years and it’s something we are immensely proud of. The forest is one of the few able to meet this demand and it's a great accolade for everyone past and present who cares for this special place.”

The tree that was picked was planted in about 1982 and is one of 212 super-sized Kielder civic Xmas trees selected for prime locations in towns and cities across the UK this year including Manchester, Sheffield and Glasgow.

Forestry England is also supplying a 25-foot tree for medieval Westminster Hall and a 12-footer for the Speaker’s House.

To ensure sustainability, seedlings from previously selected civic trees have been planted in the 63,000 hectare (155,000 acre) woodland. 

Alex MacLennan, Recreation and Public Affairs Manager and Kielder Forest, adds: “Kielder is England’s largest forest and we’re thrilled to once again to represent Forestry England and Northumberland by providing the iconic Westminster Christmas tree.

"It’s such a magical time of year and what better way to get into the festive spirit?

"It’s a delicate job to select, fell, and transport this special tree to London but the team here has done another sterling job and I can’t wait to see how it looks lit up for the nation to enjoy!”