NEW YORK (AP) — The arrival of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on Saturday has officially marked the beginning of the holiday season in New York City, delighting locals and tourists alike.
This year’s tree is a magnificent 74-foot Norway spruce, graciously donated by the Albert family from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Transported over 140 miles (225 kilometers), it made its way to Manhattan’s Center Plaza, where an impressive crane carefully hoisted it into place.
Once installed, this giant tree will be adorned with an astounding 5 miles (approximately 8 kilometers) of light strands featuring over 50,000 vibrant LED bulbs. Topping off the festive spectacle is a breathtaking Swarovski star, embellished with 3 million shimmering crystals.
When the tree arrived, it was greeted by enthusiastic crowds, many of whom held their cellphones high to capture the moment. Crews worked diligently to secure the massive tree, driving stakes into its base and ensuring it stood tall amidst the festive cheers.
“The crowds were huge today; this is one of the biggest turnouts I’ve ever witnessed at a tree raising,” expressed Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, who sported a whimsical candy cane-striped hard hat. Pauze first discovered this impressive spruce in 2020 while searching for another tree, and now, the preparations for its grandeur have begun.
In the coming days, the team will go to work lowering some of the heavy branches by hand for the elaborate trimming that is soon to follow. “We stood it up, and now we’re going to lower some of the branches down manually because they’re so massive,” Pauze noted.
The official lighting ceremony for the tree is scheduled for December 4. After the holiday season wraps up in January, the tree will be taken down and transformed into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, adding a meaningful touch to its journey.
