WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — This year’s iconic Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Center has its roots firmly planted in New England, sparking immense excitement among the local community.
The chosen Norway spruce, sourced from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, was set to be felled on Thursday and subsequently embark on a journey of approximately 140 miles to New York City, with its arrival scheduled for November 9.
Once in Manhattan, the tree will be adorned with 50,000 vibrant lights and topped with a stunning Swarovski star, all to be revealed during a live television special on December 4. It will grace the center of the holiday festivities until mid-January.
Local townsfolk have been gathering around the tree in anticipation this week. Planted 67 years ago for the homeowner’s nieces, the tree is notable for its impressive stature, weighing in at 11 tons. Workers have been seen climbing high into the branches to prepare it for its southward journey.
Remarkably, this marks the first time since 1959 that the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has come from Massachusetts, further stirring the enthusiasm among residents. “There’s a lot of people coming to town that are interested in this,” remarked Bernie Fallon, a resident of West Stockbridge, a quaint town with a population of around 1,400. “The excitement and chatter among locals are quite vibrant.”
Fellow resident Peter Giles Thorne added that the story surrounding the tree is heartwarming, expressing, “A hometown tree makes good.”
Among those visiting the majestic tree were Michael and Tania Hardinger, tourists hailing from Denmark. After flying into New York, they decided to drive up to Massachusetts, albeit taking an unexpectedly longer route due to a navigation mishap.
“We call it the scenic route. So it took six hours instead of 2.5 hours,” Michael Hardinger explained with a laugh. Despite the detour, they were thrilled to finally find the tree.
Their journey stemmed from their deep appreciation for Christmas, with Michael noting that in their home in Copenhagen, they typically display two or even three Christmas trees. Both musicians, the Hardingers plan to return to Denmark for a series of concerts before heading back to New York for holiday shopping followed by another visit to the Rockefeller Center tree.
“We’re passionate about Christmas, and witnessing the Rockefeller tree is a yearly tradition we uphold,” Michael Hardinger stated enthusiastically. “It’s an incredible sight, and seeing it here in its natural state before being displayed in the city is exhilarating and a delight.”