Rockefeller Christmas Tree at the Famous 30 Rockefeller Plaza
We’ve all seen photos of that beautiful Christmas tree lighting up Rockefeller Center, and some have even traveled to see it themselves. But where does it come from? And how exactly does it travel through those busy Manhattan streets?
The origins of the Rockefeller Christmas tree trace back to the Great Depression in 1931. During the construction of the now-famous Rockefeller Center, workers set up a humble 20-foot balsam fir tree at the construction site. They decorated it with handmade garlands, cranberries, and even tin cans to lift spirits. This modest act brought some holiday cheer to the workers and became a symbol of hope and resilience during those tough times.
Two years later, in 1933, Rockefeller Center made the tree an official annual tradition with the first public tree lighting ceremony. Since then, the tree has grown in size and grandeur, transforming into one of the most iconic Christmas displays in the world. Over the years, the tree has symbolized not only holiday joy, but also unity and perseverance, evolving from a small gesture of goodwill to a celebrated holiday tradition visited by millions every year.
These days, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree typically comes from the northeastern United States, with many trees sourced from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The selection process looks for a Norway spruce that stands at least 75 feet tall and has a full, symmetrical shape.
Each year, the tree is scouted months in advance by the head gardener at Rockefeller Center or through public submissions by individual tree owners. Many people nominate their trees, offering ones that they’ve grown for decades on private properties. After it’s selected, the tree is cut, transported to Rockefeller Plaza, and decorated with thousands of lights and a stunning star topper for New York’s holiday season. No more tin cans, unfortunately.
Shipping the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a carefully orchestrated process, as the tree is often massive and needs to arrive in perfect condition. Here’s a deeper look at how the process unfolds:
- Scouting and Preparation: Months before it’s moved, the tree is scouted and inspected by Rockefeller Center’s head gardener. Once selected, it’s prepped on-site by wrapping the branches with heavy rope or netting to prevent breakage.
- Cutting and Lifting: The tree is cut using saws and cranes to gently lower it without damaging the structure or limbs. It’s then carefully maneuvered onto a flatbed trailer, which can be over 100 feet long to accommodate the tree’s size.
- Securement on the Flatbed: The tree is securely fastened to the trailer using special brackets and straps. Since the tree’s shape and width vary, the securement process must be customized to keep it from shifting in transit.
- Special Route Planning: Because of the tree’s height and width, a specific transport route is planned to avoid low bridges, sharp turns, or narrow roadways. A police escort often accompanies the flatbed truck to ensure safe passage, especially in areas with high traffic or where road clearance may be tight.
- Journey to New York: The journey can cover hundreds of miles from states like Pennsylvania or New Jersey, with truckers and drivers working carefully to keep the tree in pristine condition. It usually takes place at night or early in the morning to minimize traffic disruptions. Giant red bows and holiday signs decorate the tree, signaling its importance to other drivers.
- Arrival and Installation: Once the tree arrives at Rockefeller Plaza, it’s lifted with another crane and set into a specially designed base. After it’s secured, workers build scaffolding around it, allowing them to string thousands of LED lights and decorate it with the famous Swarovski star or other holiday ornaments.
The entire shipping and setup process has been refined over the years, turning this complex operation into a seasonal tradition that brings the iconic tree safely to the heart of New York City for millions to enjoy.
Torsilieri Inc., a New Jersey-based landscaping and site management company, has been the trusted team behind selecting, cutting, and transporting the Rockefeller Christmas tree for many years. Founded over five decades ago, Torsilieri specializes in landscaping, large tree installation, and event management for prestigious events and projects. Known for their expertise in handling large trees, they ensure that the Rockefeller tree—often towering over 70 feet—arrives in pristine condition to dazzle crowds in Midtown Manhattan.
They manage the tree’s journey from its original location to Rockefeller Center, navigating logistical challenges and ensuring careful handling at every stage. Their team also coordinates the tree’s secure installation on-site, contributing to the seamless arrival and placement of one of the holiday season’s most iconic symbols.
Torsilieri Landscaping, owned by Carl J. Torsilieri, is a family-operated business in Gladstone, New Jersey. Established in 1963, they have expanded their services to include large-scale tree transplants and other site work, including quite a few notable projects, but there’s nothing quite like delivering that incredible Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Do you have any Christmas shipping needs?
FreightCenter ships Christmas trees every year! If you have any shipping needs this holiday season, we’re here to help! Feel free to reach out today! Contact us at (800) 716-7608. We’re always ready to help you find that perfect Christmas tree carrier! We asked Santa if he would want to help partner with us during the Christmas season, but he declined, saying this is his busiest time of year.
Seasons greetings, and a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at FreightCenter!
