Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Cut Down Upstate
This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was cut down outside of Albany on Thursday morning. It will be transported to Midtown Manhattan for the annual tree lighting ceremony early next month.
Location and Community
Hundreds gathered in East Greenbush, New York, about 2.5 hours north of Manhattan, to watch the Norway Spruce being felled.
Tree Selection
Erik Pauze, head gardener for Rockefeller Center, has been choosing the iconic tree for nearly 40 years. He shared,
“I love how everybody gets all excited about it, I love the town being excited.”
Tree Origins
The tree’s owner, Judy Russ, originally from Middle Village, Queens, described the moment as a “full circle moment.” She explained,
“This tree has been on my husband’s family’s property since the 1920s. My husband’s great-grandparents were the people who planted it. For this to now become the center of New York City Christmas is incredible.”
Transport and Preparation
After being cut, the tree was loaded onto a truck to be taken to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. There, it will be decorated with over 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star for the lighting ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, December.
Author’s Summary: The historic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, rooted in family legacy, was recently cut upstate and is set to bring festive joy to New York City with its iconic lighting.