Erik knew his men were feeling homesick, as it was winter solstice, normally a time when they would take in a tree and batten down the hatches for winter. As they were out risking their lives for him in a strange land far from their families, Erik decided to have a small ceremony to mark winter solstice and planted the seed of a northern fir tree, these days known as a Christmas Tree
In this area of land it is an alien species and stands out amongst the grass and heather, but Erik felt he had to do something for his men to boost their spirits.