BOSTON (AP) — A magnificent Norway spruce destined to become this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree began its journey to New York City on Thursday, leaving its small hometown in Massachusetts.
The towering tree, measuring 74 feet tall (23 meters), was generously donated by a local family. It was cut down in West Stockbridge on Thursday morning and carefully lifted onto a flatbed truck by a crane. The spruce is set to travel 140 miles (225 kilometers) to Rockefeller Center, where it will be erected on Saturday. This year, the tree will be adorned with an impressive 50,000 multi-colored lights and topped with a stunning Swarovski star, remaining on display until mid-January.
Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center responsible for selecting and transporting the tree, discovered it back in 2020. “I saw the beautiful Norway spruce as I drove down the road, and it was right in front of me,” Pauze shared in Rockefeller Center’s newsletter. “I knocked on the door and met Earl Albert. I asked if he would consider donating the tree to Rockefeller Center, and his immediate answer was yes.”
Shawn Albert, daughter-in-law of Earl Albert, reminisced about Pauze’s visit which came just two days after the passing of Earl’s wife, Lesley. The family interpreted Pauze’s inquiry as a sign from Lesley, who cherished the Christmas season. For years, the Alberts had celebrated the holidays by decorating the tree with lights.
Due to the pandemic, the family was unable to hold a funeral for Lesley, making Thursday’s send-off event—complete with carolers—a meaningful tribute. “She was such a huge part of the community,” Shawn Albert stated in a video shared by Rockefeller Center. “To me, this is like her gathering that we finally get to have and finally get to honor her.”
Michael Albert, Shawn’s husband and Lesley’s son, reflected on his mother’s giving nature as a nurse, noting that sharing the tree with the public felt fitting. “Let it go to New York City and let the world see it,” he expressed with pride.
This year marks the first time since 1959 that a Christmas tree from Massachusetts will grace Rockefeller Center, and the spruce has already stirred excitement among locals and tourists in West Stockbridge. Recently, many visited to see the impressive 11-ton (10-metric ton) tree as workers prepared it for transport.
On the day of the tree’s cutting, dozens of spectators, some dressed as Santa Claus, gathered behind a barrier to witness the historic event. Tourists Michael and Tania Hardinger, who traveled from Denmark, made a special trip to see the tree before it was cut down. “We love Christmas; we sometimes have two or three trees in our home,” Hardinger shared. As musicians, they plan to return to Denmark for a few concerts before heading back to New York for holiday shopping and a visit to the Rockefeller tree. “The Rockefeller tree is something we must see every year. It’s so beautiful and fantastic,” Hardinger added.
