In the bustling heart of New York City, a towering symbol of holiday spirit and communal joy stands proudly. The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a magnificent Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York, represents more than just festive cheer. At an impressive 80 feet in height and 43 feet in width, this 12-ton emblem of the season embodies a tradition of transformation and hope with a unique Habitat for Humanity twist.
The task of selecting this year's Rockefeller Tree fell to Erik Pauze, head gardener at Rockefeller Center for more than 30 years. According to Today.com, the former owners were surprised when a stranger pulled into their driveway with a request for the tree that graced their front yard in Vestal, New York. Since Matt and Jackie McGinley donated the tree, it undertook a nearly 200-mile journey to its iconic destination, arriving on November 11.
A long-standing symbol of New York City's holiday season, the tree is adorned with over 50,000 lights, covering five miles of wire. The crowning glory is the spectacular Swarovski Star, introduced in 2004, featuring about 70 spikes and 3 million crystals, weighing approximately 900 pounds. This year’s lighting event, hosted by Kelly Clarkson and featuring various performances and celebrity cameos, captivated audiences.
Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Beyond the sparkle and spectacle, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree holds a deeper significance. Since 2007, in partnership with Tishman Speyer, the tree's lumber has been donated to Habitat for Humanity post-holiday season. The Norway Spruce, chosen for its durability and flexibility, is repurposed for construction materials in Habitat homes. Cut into large pieces, the tree is transported from Rockefeller Center to a mill in New Jersey. The rough-sawn pieces are dried in a kiln, milled to make the boards flat, straight, and square, and then planed until they are smooth. Finally, the boards are sent to the Habitat affiliate chosen to receive the lumber. This tradition turns an iconic symbol of holiday celebration into a beacon of hope for deserving families in need of affordable housing.
The impact of this tradition is profoundly felt by families like Lakisha Atkins'. Her Habitat home in New York, built using lumber from the 2017 tree, stands as testament to perseverance and the fulfillment of dreams. Several pieces of exposed lumber in her pantry and cabinets are branded with a commemorative stamp celebrating the anniversary of Rockefeller Center’s 85th tree lighting. “Every day, it’s a beautiful reminder of how far I’ve come,” Lakisha says. “And that you should never give up on your dreams, no matter what.”
Sustainability and Future Outlook
The annual tradition of transforming the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree into a sustainable resource reinforces Habitat for Humanity's commitment to environmental stewardship and community development. Each year, the tree's journey from a celebrated holiday icon to a vital part of a family's home illustrates a cycle of renewal and hope.
The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has journeyed from a family's yard in Vestal to the heart of New York City, and ultimately it will travel into the homes of deserving families. We are so excited to see this seasonal symbol of joy embodying the spirit of the holidays and the mission of Habitat for Humanity in creating lasting, positive change.
What Habitat homes contain lumber from a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?
2007: A tree from Shelton, Connecticut, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
2008: A tree from Trenton, New Jersey, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in New York City.
2009: A tree from Easton, Connecticut, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Stamford, Connecticut.
2010: A tree from Mahopac, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Newburgh, New York.
2011: A tree from Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Philadelphia.
2012: A tree from Flanders, New Jersey, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in New York City and Madison, New Jersey.
2013: A tree from Shelton, Connecticut, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
2014: A tree from Hemlock Township, Pennsylvania, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Philadelphia.
2015: A tree from Gardiner, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Newburgh, New York.
2016: A tree from Oneonta, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Newburgh, New York.
2017: A tree from State College, Pennsylvania, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Newburgh, New York.
2018: A tree from Walkill, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber was used in Habitat homes in Newburgh, New York.
2019: A tree from Florida, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center and its lumber will be used in Habitat homes in New York’s Newburgh, Dutchess County and Ulster County.
2020: A tree from Oneonta, New York, was displayed in Rockefeller Center and its lumber will be used in Habitat homes in Otsego County, New York, and Los Angeles, California.
2021: Lumber from the 2021 tree from Elkton, Maryland, will be used in Habitat homes in communities to be announced in 2022.
