In brief
The towering 75-foot Norway spruce, weighing 11 tons, was recently felled in East Greenbush and will be adorned with energy-efficient LED lights. Donated by a local family, this year's tree will be lit on December 3rd, marking the start of the festive season while promoting sustainability through its post-holiday reuse.
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. — The iconic Christmas tree that lights up Rockefeller Center is en route to New York City, bringing holiday cheer with an emphasis on sustainability. This year’s majestic Norway spruce stands 75 feet tall and weighs 11 tons, having been felled on Thursday morning in East Greenbush, a suburb of Albany located about 150 miles north of Manhattan.
Crowds gathered to witness the tree's loading onto a 100-foot trailer, excited for its arrival at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Saturday. The splendid spruce will adorn over 50,000 multicolored, energy-efficient LED lights and will be topped with a striking 900-pound Swarovski star.
The official lighting ceremony is set for December 3rd, featuring a live TV broadcast hosted by country music star Reba McEntire, with the tree remaining on display until mid-January. Following the festive season, the tree will be transformed into lumber to aid the affordable housing nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, showcasing a commitment to environmental sustainability.
The tree was generously donated by Judy Russ and her family, who shared a touching backstory that it was planted by her husband’s great-grandparents in the 1920s, making this year's tree a piece of living history. Russ expressed her delight, stating, For this to now become the center of New York City Christmas is incredible,” highlighting the tree's role in both holiday celebrations and community support.
This annual tradition began during the Great Depression in 1931 with a modest 20-foot balsam fir, aimed at uplifting spirits. The first official lighting ceremony took place in 1933, further cementing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as a symbol of hope and community resilience each year."
