New York City’s holiday centerpiece arrived early Saturday morning, as a 76‑foot, 11‑ton Norway spruce from West Edmeston was driven into Rockefeller Center’s plaza. The tree, cut Thursday and loaded onto a 100‑foot trailer, completed a 200‑mile trek from upstate New York before turning right into the iconic square at about 7:30 a.m.
Local family helps with tradition
The Decker family, owners of the property where the tree grew, joined the crew to drive a spike into the trunk with a sledgehammer – a long‑standing tradition that honors the tree’s journey from the “middle of nowhere” to the heart of Manhattan. Rebecca Decker, a mother of three, recalled the surprise when Rockefeller Center’s head gardener Erik Pauze knocked on her door and praised the tree’s shape.
Preparation for the lighting ceremony
After the tree was raised into place by crane and secured, crews will surround it with scaffolding to wrap 50,000 lights and crown it with a 900‑pound Swarovski star. The first official look will be broadcast during the tree‑lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 2, on NBC and Peacock, under the program “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.”
Holiday events surrounding the tree
The plaza is also celebrating the 90th season of The Rink at Rockefeller Center, offering holiday workshops on “Meet the Tree Day” where families can write letters to Santa, add kindness notes to the Caring Tree, and create handmade keepsakes. Starting Nov. 14, “The Elf Experience” will open at HERO, taking visitors on a themed journey from New York City to the North Pole, complete with a Candy Cane Forest, Santa’s workshop, and a recreation of Gimbels department store.
Future of the tree
The tree will remain on display until Jan. 9, 2027, after which it will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity. New greenery will be planted on Decker’s property to replace the famous spruce. “I’m actually a little sad to see it leave now,” Decker said before the tree was cut, noting the change to her yard’s appearance.
Community impact
Millions of visitors are expected to flock to Rockefeller Center throughout the season, taking photos and enjoying the festive atmosphere. The event underscores the city’s tradition of family‑friendly holiday celebrations that blend commerce, community, and the timeless spirit of Christmas.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
