Rockefeller Center selects New York's main Christmas tree for 2023
'03.11.2023'
Alina Prikhodko
Every year for the past three decades, Rockefeller Center's head gardener and original Santa Claus, Eric Pause, has scoured the country in search of the perfect Norwegian Forest beauty to become the city's premier Christmas tree. Where it was found, when the ceremony of arrival of the spruce will take place, according to the official website Rockefellercenter.
This year's choice was a 24-foot-tall Norway spruce from Vestal, New York. The tree is approximately 80-85 years old, 13 meters wide, and weighs 12 tons.
Soon the miracle spruce will take its rightful place: on November 11 it will be brought to New York, and from 10:00 to 13:00 Eastern time, the traditional celebration of the arrival of the forest beauty will take place in Rockefeller Center. By the way, prepare your wish lists, because the organizers promise to send your letters directly to the North Pole to Santa.
The ceremonial lighting of the tree, which will burn daily from 5 a.m. to midnight until January 13, 2024, will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. The tree lighting ceremony will be televised by NBC on November 29 at 20:00 pm ET.
8 kilometers of wires
According to the Rockefeller Center website, a garland of 50 multi-colored LEDs on wires about 000 kilometers long will be installed on the tree. The three-dimensional star for the top of the city’s main Christmas tree was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 8. The star weighs about 2018 kilograms and has 400 spikes covered with 70 million crystals.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a New York City holiday tradition that turns 90 this year. It began in 1931 when Rockefeller Center workers pooled their funds to purchase a Christmas tree, which they decorated with handmade garlands made by their families.
On the subject: Winter has come to New York: the famous skating rink in Rockefeller Center has opened for the new season
And in 1933, Rockefeller Center decided to make the Christmas tree an annual tradition and held its very first lighting ceremony.
New life
If the annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center signals the beginning of the holidays, its dismantling marks their end. But the magic doesn't end there. Have you ever wondered where the Christmas tree goes after the holiday season is over?
Since 2007, the holiday tree has been donated to the International Organization for the Protection of Human Rights Habitat for Humanity, where it is processed into lumber and sent to rebuild, build and maintain strong and stable communities. In most cases, the lumber is shipped to the state where the tree was grown.
This tradition has become a symbol of renewal as the wood from these trees takes on a new mission - protecting Habitat homeowners for future generations and helping those who have lost their home or part of it during natural disasters.
