The once-a-year treats arrived Friday at Tierpark, one of the German capital's two zoos.

The zoo said it takes only fresh, unsold trees from selected vendors and does not accept trees from the public, which could contain chemicals or leftover decorations.

Elephant keeper Mario Hammerschmidt said the elephants also eat the trees themselves, which "apparently taste quite good."

Monkeys are presented with trees decorated with vegetables and seeds, while the tigers get meat decorations.