NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is making its way from Maryland, in a historic first, after it was lifted by a crane and placed on a flatbed truck for its journey to New York City, officials announced Thursday.
Devon and Julie Price's 79-foot-tall, 46-feet-wide Norway Spruce, estimated to be 85 to 90 years old, was donated after officials said a "mystery guest" knocked on their Elkton, Maryland door.
The Price's said at first they heard the knock and assumed it was someone looking to repave their driveway.
However, as Devon led the visitor, Rockefeller Center head gardener Erik Pauze, around their property to view their Norway Spruces, officials said it some became clear their largest was "destined for greatness."
Pauze said he saw the 12 ton tree while looking around the area earlier this year amid his continuous search for tree candidates.
"We never considered that our tree would be the one on display for the world to see at Rockefeller Center," Devon said in a statement. "It truly is quite the honor."
Once the tree arrives at Rockefeller Center, officials said a crane will hoist it into position in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza through the remainder of the holiday season.
More than 50,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights will be strung over five miles of wire on the tree, with hundreds of solar panels atop the Rockefeller Center buildings to help power the lights.
For the 18th year in a row, the Norway Spruce will then be topped off with a 900 pound Swarovski crystal star. Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the three-dimensional star is 9 feet tall, 4 inches wide, features 70 spikes and 3 million Swarovski crystals.
A three-hour lighting ceremony, a tradition that first officially began in 1933, will be broadcast live on Dec. 1. — first locally on WNBC-TV from 7 to 8 p.m. and nationally on NBC from 8 to 10 p.m.
Construction workers building Rockefeller Center set up and decorated the first Christmas Tree in 1931.
Related
