National Tree

There are millions of Christmas trees in the US, but arguably the one at Rockefeller Center is the Unofficial National Tree. Click here for more photos. In a tradition that goes back to 1933, a near perfect tree is selected - nearly always a Norway Spruce, a non-native ornamental tree with a typical lifespan of 80-100 years. Growers who hope theirs will be selected submit photos; the top selections are surveyed and inspected by helicopter. The preferred tree is 75 to 90 feet tall and typically over 50 years old. This year's Norway Spruce is from the property of Rob Kinnaird in Ridgefield, Connecticut, who watched it growing up - their driveway was moved 4 times over the years to accommodate its growth. This year's tree is 88 feet tall, 45 feet in diameter and weighs 9 tons. It was trucked to the city on a custom, telescoping trailer, decorated with 30,000 lights and crowned with a custom made, 9 foot, 550 pound Austrian Swarovski crystal top! The tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 29 was nationally televised and included Christina Aguilera, Bette Midler, Lionel Richie, Sarah McLachlan and Sting as guests. It will be up until January 9th ...