Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is found in New York City's Rockefeller Center, and is lit every December or late-November, an event usually broadcast on NBC in the United States. The tree, usually a Norway spruce 75 to 90 feet tall, has been put up since 1937, and has grown to be a New York City tradition.
A helicopter scouts homeowner's yards for the desired tree, in areas ranging from Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, and Ottawa. Once a suitable tree is located, a crane supports it while it's cut, and moves it to a custom telescoping trailer that can transport trees up to 125 feet tall.
Once at the Rockefeller Center, the tree is supported by four guide wires attached at its midpoint, and by a steel spike at its base. Scaffolding is put up around the tree to assist workers in putting up 30,000 lights attached to 5 miles of wiring. The star that has topped the tree since 2004 is 9.5 feet in diameter and weighs 550 pounds. [1]
After Christmas, the tree is recycled for a variety of uses, including mulch, while the largest part of the tree is used for jumping by the United States Equestrian Team.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Swarovski Star returns to Rockefeller Center. Swarovski. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
[edit] Sources
- The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center ISBN 0-9650308-7-3
- "Christmas Tech". Modern Marvels. 2006-12-20.
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Facts. WNBC.com.
[edit] External links
- 2006 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Image Gallery
- History of Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree facts
