Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP / Getty Images
For the second time since 2022, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will come from the Capital Region, specifically East Greenbush, New York. The Norway Spruce, donated by the Russ family, has been part of their property for over 60 years. The tree will be cut down on Thursday, November 6, and transported to New York City on Saturday, November 8. Once in the city, it will be adorned with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a Swarovski star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018.
The official tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 3, during the "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" celebration, broadcast live on NBC. The tree will remain on display until mid-January, after which it will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, continuing a tradition started in 2007. This process allows the wood to be used in building homes across the country, adding a layer of community service to the holiday tradition.
Head gardener Erik Pauze, who has been selecting the Rockefeller Center tree for over three decades, discovered the Russ family's tree after receiving a photo from a Rockefeller Center security supervisor. "As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect," Pauze stated. He has visited the tree several times throughout the year to ensure its readiness for the holiday season.
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