The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be sourced from East Greenbush, New York, marking a significant contribution to the iconic holiday display. The tree, a Norway Spruce measuring 75 feet tall and 45 feet in diameter, has been generously donated by the local Russ family. According to a press release from Rockefeller Center’s Magazine staff, the tree is estimated to be as old as its height and is set to be cut down on November 6, 2025.
Following its removal, the tree will embark on a 140-mile journey to Manhattan, where it will be installed in the famous plaza on November 8. Residents and visitors are invited to RSVP for the “Meet The Tree” event, a family-friendly celebration that marks the tree’s arrival. The much-anticipated tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 19:00 to 22:00 and will be broadcast live on NBC.
For the Russ family, the tree has held significance for over 60 years. Judy Russ expressed her joy in being part of this tradition, stating that she looks forward to creating more memories with friends and family as the tree transforms into “the world’s Christmas tree.”
In preparation for the holiday season, the tree will be adorned with 50,000 LED bulbs and topped with a striking nine-foot-diameter Swarovski star weighing 900 pounds. Head gardener Erik Pauze, who has dedicated over 30 years to selecting appropriate trees, remarked that he knew the Russ family tree was “perfect” upon seeing its photograph.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is not only a holiday symbol but also part of a charitable initiative that demonstrates the spirit of giving. After the holiday season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it will be milled into beams to help construct homes across the country. This practice, initiated in 2007, often benefits communities in the state where the tree originated.
The Rockefeller Center’s Magazine staff highlighted the tree’s deeper significance, stating, “For the Russ family, for Erik Pauze, and for millions who gather at Rockefeller Center, this year’s tree is a reminder that love, light, and community can grow from the roots of family and history.” The lighting of the 50,000 LED lights will not only signal the beginning of another holiday season in New York but also celebrate the enduring spirit of the city and its people, who uphold its vibrant traditions year after year.