This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree brings a bit of New England charm to Midtown Manhattan, marking the first time since 1959 that a tree from Massachusetts will stand in the iconic plaza. A 74-foot Norway spruce from West Stockbridge in the Southern Berkshires has been selected for the honor and is set to begin its journey to New York on November 9.
The tree, a towering 70-year-old specimen weighing in at 11 tons, has quite a story behind it. Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center, discovered it while driving through the area four years ago. Spotting its perfect form, he stopped by the home of Earl Albert, the tree’s owner, and inquired about the possibility of it being donated. As Pauze recalled to The New York Post, “I would drive by every so often to check in on the Tree. In the spring of this year, I decided to call Earl and ask if I could start feeding it and watering it.”
After months of care and preparation, the spruce will be transported to Rockefeller Center, where it will be wrapped in over 50,000 LED lights and crowned with a Swarovski crystal star.
On December 4, the annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” broadcast will illuminate the tree, a beloved tradition signaling the arrival of the holiday season. Following the festivities, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, continuing a legacy of goodwill and holiday spirit.
