On December 3rd, individuals from all over the globe converged on the heart of Manhattan to witness the 82nd annual lighting of the famous Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.
The official Christmas tree tradition at Rockefeller Center was introduced in 1933 during the construction of Rockefeller Center, when builders garnished a small 20 foot balsam fir tree with strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and a few tin cans on Christmas Eve. In recent years, the lighting has been scheduled for the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and remains lit through January 6th, the Christian feast of The Epiphany. The tree serves as one of New York’s cherished holiday landmarks and the benchmark for trees across the country. However, the deep-rooted legacy of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center would not be possible without the help of one obscure but essential person: the Rock’s head gardener. With one of the coolest jobs in New York City, the gardener’s line of work includes maintaining the grounds around Rockefeller Center and selecting the perfect Christmas tree every winter season. The importance of his selection is lent even more weight by the tens of thousands of people that gather each year to see the tree lit. This is not to mention the millions whose eyes will take in the sight throughout the Christmas season.
In 2010, Erik Pauze, a 25-year veteran groundskeeper at the Rock fulfilled the laudable position of head gardener. He now is in charge of every single leaf on site at the Rockefeller Center. Thus, when the Christmas season nears, he has the opportunity to tour the tri-state area, hoping to find a ‘worthy specimen’. Throughout the year, as Pauze travels throughout various states to visit garden centers and nurseries, he also deviates along backroads in hope of spotting an ideal tree. As anticipated, the tree has a few demands. The tree needs to be fairly large, as trees less than 70 feet tall are rarely nominated, and sturdy enough to hold the weight of the decorations. The tree must also be able to stand strong in the microclimate of the city. A classic Christmas tree front with straight, symmetrical branches is a plus as well.
This year, Pauze selected an 85-foot, 13-ton Norway Spruce from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Pauze had located this year’s winner from the highway while driving down Interstate 80. Periodically, he would visit the massive Spruce in Pennsylvania to observe its progress, ¨like a college coach might check up on a five-star recruit¨ said Pauze. Eventually, the current owners of the farm agreed to part with their 90 year old tree and bestow it upon Rockefeller Center for the whole world to see. After a few weeks of decorating, thousands of people gathered to watch the illustrious display illuminate with the help of 45,000 LED lights and a 550-pound Swarovski star.
On January 7th, after the feast of The Epiphany, the tree will be removed and made into lumber, later donated to Habitat for Humanity. When asked about the renowned tree’s purpose after its use at 30 Rock, Rachel Drosdick-Sigafoos answered on CBS.com, ‘Ultimately yes, it will go to build homes for Habitat for Humanity in PA and thats a huge driving factor for me to know that this tree’s ultimate purpose is so much greater than six weeks in NYC, its going to be someone’s home for the rest of his or her life’.
Invest in the Christmas moment, and take the time to see the most spectacular tree.