100-Year-Old New York Spruce to Adorn Rockefeller Center

A 100-year-old spruce from East Greenbush, New York, will adorn Rockefeller Center this Christmas. The 23-meter tree was cut on November 6 and is expected to arrive at Rockefeller Center on November 8.

The tree's story is particularly touching. The Ras family, who owned the tree, always dreamed of seeing it decorate Rockefeller Center. Sadly, Dan, the husband of Judy Ras, passed away in 2020 at the age of 32. This year, the tree will serve as a memorial symbol for him.

"I know my husband would want to be here for this moment," Judy Ras told NBC. "We always talked about the Rockefeller Center tree. It's so special that my family's tree will become America's tree, if not the world's."

The tree will be lit on December 3 with more than 50,000 lights and a Swarovski star on top. Judy Ras will participate in the lighting ceremony.

A family friend brought a photo of the tree to the head gardener of Rockefeller Center, Erik Pauze, who decided it was the perfect tree for this year. The tree was planted by Judy's husband's great-grandparents in the 1920s.

"Spread joy, spread happiness, love each other. Think of our family, think of my husband, think of us," Judy emphasized.