The Christmas Tree

Overview

Each holiday season, the heart of New York City's Midtown Manhattan transforms with the arrival of 'The Christmas Tree' at Rockefeller Center. This iconic Norway spruce, typically ranging from 69 to 100 feet tall, stands as a grand symbol of festive cheer and hope, drawing millions of visitors from around the globe. Its placement in mid-November and subsequent lighting ceremony officially usher in the holiday season in the city.

The tree is situated in Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, offering a central point for holiday celebrations and a stunning backdrop for the adjacent ice-skating rink.

History & Cultural Background

The tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree began humbly in 1931, during the Great Depression. Construction workers building Rockefeller Center pooled their money to buy a 20-foot balsam fir, which they decorated with handmade garlands from their families, paper decorations, and even tin cans. This spontaneous act of holiday spirit provided a beacon of hope during challenging times.

Two years later, in 1933, the first official Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony took place with a 50-foot tree featuring 700 lights, solidifying the tree as an annual tradition. The ceremony evolved significantly, and by 1951, it gained national recognition through its first televised broadcast on 'The Kate Smith Show'. During World War II, the tree's decorations adopted patriotic themes, and in 1942, three smaller trees, decorated in red, white, and blue, were displayed to honor the troops, remaining unlit for two years due to wartime blackout regulations.

What Makes It Special

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is typically a Norway spruce, carefully selected months, sometimes even years, in advance by Rockefeller Center's head gardener, Erik Pauze. The chosen tree needs to be hearty and possess an ideal 'Christmas tree shape' capable of supporting heavy ornaments.

Once erected, the tree is adorned with approximately 50,000 multi-colored LED lights strung along about five miles of wire. Topping this magnificent display is a dazzling Swarovski crystal star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018. This three-dimensional star weighs about 900 pounds, spans over nine feet in diameter, and features 70 spikes covered in more than three million crystals.

Beyond its beauty, the tree embodies a commitment to sustainability. Since 2007, after its display, the tree is milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity for use in home construction, giving it a second life and purpose.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

• The Tallest Tree: The tallest Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on record was a 100-foot Norway spruce from Killingworth, Connecticut, displayed in 1999.
• Unusual Transport: While typically transported by truck, the 1998 tree was famously flown in from Richfield, Ohio, on an Antonov An-124 Ruslan, one of the world's largest transport planes at the time.
• Going Green: In 2007, the tree embraced energy efficiency, transitioning to LED lights which significantly reduced its daily electricity consumption.
• Patriotic Displays: During World War II, the tree's decorations reflected patriotic themes, including red, white, and blue unlit globes and painted wooden stars.
• A Hidden Visitor: In 2020, a tiny owl, affectionately named 'Rockefeller,' was discovered nestled within the branches of the tree after its journey from upstate New York to Manhattan, becoming a heartwarming news story.
• Channel Garden Angels: The iconic wire herald angels by sculptor Valerie Clarebout, displayed in the Channel Gardens leading to the tree, have been a festive staple since 1969.

Visitor Perspective

Visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a quintessential New York holiday experience, attracting an estimated 125 million people annually, with up to 750,000 per day at peak times. Viewing the tree is completely free and accessible to the public.

For a more serene experience and better photo opportunities, it is highly recommended to visit very early in the morning (between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.) or late at night (after 10 p.m.), as the area can become extremely crowded, especially on weekends and closer to Christmas. The tree remains lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, with a special 24-hour illumination on Christmas Eve. The presence of the tree also complements the beloved ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere where visitors can glide under the majestic tree.