Paris, France
AP
The first eight oak trees destined to replace the destroyed spire of Paris’ scorched Notre Dame cathedral have been selected from the Bercé forest in the French Loire region, church officials have said.
The iconic, 96 metre high spire was completely destroyed in the fire that ravaged the Paris monument in 2019. It was made by architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1859.
In this Sunday, 21st April, 2019, file photo, workers fix a net to cover one of the iconic stained glass windows of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Notre Dame cathedral officials have said that the first eight oaks destined to replace the spire of the scorched Paris monument have been selected from the Berce forest in the French Loire region. PICTURE: AP Photo/Francisco Seco/ File photo.
“It is a source of pride for the foresters of the National Forestry Office to participate in the rebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris,” said Forestry Office Director Bertrand Munch.
The first oaks measure around one meter in diameter.
Officials said the 1,000 oaks that are needed to fully rebuild the spire are all scheduled to be cut by the end of March.
