Rockefeller Center's Iconic Christmas Tree Donated In Memory Of Late Husband

MIDTOWN, NY — Before the striking, 75-foot Norway spruce was carefully lowered into Rockefeller Center's plaza to be this year's Christmas tree on Saturday, it was a symbol of family and legacy on Judy Russ's property upstate.

Now, it's also a glowing tribute to a beloved husband and father gone too soon, Russ said.

Russ donated her family's tree to honor her late husband, Dan Russ, who died in 2020 at age 32, she said.

The tree was planted roughly six decades ago by Dan’s great-grandparents and has stood out on the family's property ever since, serving as the backdrop for countless family celebrations and milestones, according to Rockefeller Center.

"I’m excited to make more cherished memories with my family and childhood friends as it becomes the world’s Christmas tree," Russ said. Russ still lives on the property with her 7-year-old son, Liam.

The spruce was cut on Nov. 6 and made the 130-mile journey to Manhattan, where it was raised into place at Rockefeller Center on Nov. 8.

It will shine with 50,000 LED lights and a nine-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.

"We always talked about it being the (Rockefeller Center) tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s, if not the world’s, Christmas tree," Russ told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on “Today” Friday.

The official lighting ceremony will take place Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 7-10 p.m., and air live on NBC.

After the holidays, the tree’s wood will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it will be transformed into building materials for new homes, Rockefeller Center said.

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