The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is getting a heartfelt backstory this year. A 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, New York, will stand in Midtown Manhattan as a tribute to a beloved husband and a family tradition decades in the making.
Donor Judy Russ is honoring her late husband, Dan Russ, by gifting the towering spruce outside their home — a tree he had always believed belonged in Rockefeller Center. “As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to be here for this moment,” Judy told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on Today. “We always talked about it being the Rockefeller Center tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s — and maybe the world’s — Christmas tree.”
Their 7-year-old son, Liam, added his own excitement to the moment. “I’m excited that the whole world can see it,” he said, capturing the wide-eyed wonder that has defined this New York City tradition for generations.
A Family Dream Becomes a New York Tradition
For Judy, the idea of donating the spruce — planted roughly 75 years ago by Dan’s great-grandparents — took root after she brought Liam to see Rockefeller Center’s tree last year. Back home, she couldn’t stop thinking about the massive, perfectly shaped Norway spruce in their yard and the dream she shared with her husband.
She reached out to a family friend who had a relative working at Rockefeller Center. Not long after, the call came from Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, Erik Pauze, who oversees the iconic tree selection and has helped turn homegrown evergreens into global attractions for years.
Pauze informed the family that the spruce was a match — destined to be outfitted with 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star before dazzling New Yorkers and visitors alike. Judy’s reaction was equal parts disbelief and joy. “I think I just hallucinated, like, ‘We need to go back because there’s no way this is real, right?’” she recalled.
The choice carries a deeply personal resonance. Dan, who passed away five years ago, had long believed the spruce would one day make it to Rockefeller Center. Now, the Russ family’s tree is set to become a centerpiece of the city’s holiday season — and a living tribute to a husband, father, and family legacy.
From East Greenbush To Midtown
On November 8, crews carefully transported the 75-foot spruce from the Russ family’s property to Rockefeller Center, a journey that has become a seasonal spectacle of its own. Once in Midtown, workers readied the tree for its star turn with meticulous placement, lighting preparation, and safety rigging — all part of the annual transformation that turns a backyard giant into a marquee holiday landmark.
The Rockefeller Center tree selection process prioritizes height, symmetry, and sturdy branches — qualities the Norway spruce is known for. While many trees are nominated each year, only one earns the coveted spot overlooking the ice rink and the famed promenade, where it serves as a beacon for tourists and New Yorkers throughout the season.
That the spruce grew under the care of the same family for decades adds an extra layer of meaning. The tree’s life — stretching back to Dan’s great-grandparents — now intersects with the lives of millions who will gather beneath its branches, take photos, and make new memories in its glow.
Lighting Ceremony Details & A Personal Dedication
Judy and Liam will attend the tree lighting ceremony on December 3, a milestone the family is approaching with joy and emotion. “Well, I cry at home in my living room when the tree is lit, so I’ll probably be inconsolable that day, but it’s going to be wonderful,” Judy said, acknowledging just how powerful the moment will be.
She has dedicated each twinkling light to Dan. “Spread joy, spread cheer, love one another. Think of our family, think of my husband, think of us. We’re just happy to share it with everybody,” she said, framing the ceremony as both celebration and remembrance.
The lighting, an annual New York tradition and a staple of holiday broadcasts, will once again draw crowds to Rockefeller Plaza and viewers across the country. The spectacle — capped with the installation of a Swarovski star and the glow of tens of thousands of lights — is a seasonal touchstone that bridges personal stories and public celebration.
Why This Tree Matters
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is more than a landmark — it’s a living emblem of community, continuity, and hope. This year’s choice underscores that spirit. A family’s dream has become a citywide tradition, and a private tribute is set to shine on one of the world’s most recognized stages.
The Russ family’s story highlights what makes the ceremony resonate year after year: a blend of heritage, generosity, and the simple magic of a beautifully lit tree against the New York skyline. For Judy and Liam, the moment ties past and present together — and for the thousands who will pass by daily, it offers a reminder of the season’s most enduring values.
As the lights come on in Rockefeller Center, the Russ family’s spruce won’t just mark the holidays. It will stand as a glowing acknowledgment of a promise kept, a loved one remembered, and a tradition shared with everyone who looks up and smiles.
