The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Since 1931, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree hasselected measures larger than these dimensions.
been lighting up the holidays each year for New YorkCutting and moving the tree is a very involved
City residents and visitors.  One of the most wellprocess.  Cutting and moving the tree requires 15 to
known decorated Christmas trees in the United States,20 people and a 180 ton all-terrain hydraulic crane. 
this tree has become an iconic symbol of the holidayThis crane travels to the location of the tree, and
season in New York City.  The Rockefeller Centersupports the tree by its tip while it is cut.  Once cut,
Christmas Tree is also a major tourist attraction;the tree is then transported to a truck with a large
thousands come to New York each year to see thetelescoping trailer, designed to accommodate up to a
tree lighting ceremony, or just to view the tree during125 foot tall tree.  To avoid traffic congestion, the tree
the several weeks when it is on display.is usually moved into the heart of New York City
The first tree displayed in Rockefeller Center in 1931during the nighttime hours via a pre-selected police
was a Balsam Fir measuring about 20 feet tall.  Itescorted route.
was set up by construction workers who were buildingThe tree is erected in Rockefeller Center and is
Rockefeller Center, and during this depression-era, theysupported by four large guy wires and a steel spike
were proud to have a tree displayed amidst the mudthat supports the tree at its base.  The tree is then
and construction debris of their work area.lighted with over five miles of stringed lights.  In recent
Today the Rockefeller tree is usually a giant Norwayyears, the tree's lighting has become more energy
Spruce measuring between 75 and 90 feet tall.  Theefficient.  In 2007, for the first time, the tree was
tree is unofficially selected each year by the managerlighted with LED Christmas lights instead of
of the Rockefeller Center gardens, with the search forincandescent.  It is estimated that the LED lights have
the perfect tree beginning months ahead of time. reduced the tree's energy consumption by almost two
Each year, the Rockefeller Center receives hundredsthirds.  In addition, the Rockefeller Center has also put
of photographs from people all over the United States,up a huge array of solar panels on the roof of one of
and even some in Canada, offering their trees for useits buildings, and these solar panels help to generate
in Rockefeller Center.  The manager then drivesthe electricity needed to light the tree.
around the Northeastern part of the United States,The tree is generally lighted in a special ceremony in
viewing trees and looking for the perfect specimen. late November or early December, and is left up
In winter months, the tree is scouted out by helicopterthrough early January.  Once taken down, the tree is
until one has been selected.recycled into almost three tons of wood mulch that
Norway Spruce trees are not native to North America,are donated to the Boy Scouts of America.  The
in fact they grow naturally in Europe.  Here in the U.S.,largest portion of the tree's trunk is donated to the U.S.
Norway Spruces are generally planted as ornamentalEquestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, New
trees in front or back yards, and they can grow toJersey, where it is used as an obstacle jump for the
enormous proportions, as tall as 80 to 110 feet.  Thehorses and their riders.  In 2007, however, the tree
Rockefeller center specifies that the tree they use forwas cut into lumber that was then donated to Habitat
their official Christmas tree must measure at least 65for Humanity for use in houses.
feet tall and 35 feet wide, though the tree that's usually