Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center tree is located at Rockefeller Center, west of Fifth Avenue from 47th through 51st Streets in New York City.

This year's tree is an 81-foot-tall, 7-ton Norway Spruce from New Jersey. Guy Torsilieri spotted the tree that will soon be the most famous in the country in early spring as he flew over it in a helicopter. Mr. Torsilieri has the job of picking and moving the Rockefeller tree each year. Since Rockefeller Center began its tree tradition in 1933, most of the giant evergreens have come from New York State. However, due to last years ice storms last year's tree came from Ohio. Currently there is no information regurading the previous owners of this year tree so I've included the information for last year's tree. So I've included the information about last year's tree.

As it happens, last year's tree, was located smack in the front yard of Adolph and Ethel Szitar. They have lived on the property since Christmas Eve of 1955. It is estimated that the tree had been there since the mid-1930s. When Rockefeller Center officials approached the Szitars in June, they were surprised. Ethel Szitar always considered the tree to be pretty, but never realized it could become one of the grander ones in the country. The Szitars were happy to give up their tree, because the base had begun to weaken and they were worried that a storm could blow it down on their home. They were also proud that the tree they had lived near for over forty years would now bring happiness to millions. The giant tree was flown to New York City in mid-November and unveiled in its fully decorated glory with over 26,00 lights at the lighting ceremony on December 2. This years tree unveiling and lighting ceremony is November 28, 2001 at 8:50 Post Meridian.