The iconic Christmas tree that goes up in front of the Rockefeller Center has come from various places over the years, but this year the massive tree will be making its way to the Big Apple from…
Oneonta, New York! It’s a Norway Spruce, according to the Rockefeller Center’s Instagram announcement. They didn’t announced its height yet, but encouraged followers to guess in the comments!
Every year, families everywhere submit their Norway Spruce trees to Rockefeller Center in hopes theirs is selected as the largest one to go up for the masses during the holiday season in the Rockefeller Plaza. Trees that are usually selected for this are further along in their life cycle, and when they are removed a young one is planted in its place. After the holidays, the tree is donated to Habitat for Humanity and used as lumber in their building projects.
The Norway Spruce tree that will dazzle the public in all its grandeur and holiday glory will be cut on Thursday, November 12, arriving at the Rockefeller Center by this Saturday, November 14!
Once here, the tree is normally lit with “five miles of more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights” and is often topped with some kind of new Swarovski star, though exact details haven’t been released yet. These additions will take place over the course of a few weeks, before the 88th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, the date of which hasn’t be announced yet. The event, and subsequent viewing the tree, will likely be reimagined this year due to COVID-19 safety concerns. You can stay up-to-date on their website here.
This year, the tree is actually arriving before the ice skating rink opens to the public, which will be Nov. 21.
See also: Bryant Park Just Opened A Brand New ‘Curling Cafe’ For The Holiday Season
featured image source: shutterstock