Norway Spruce Stands Tall in NYC

New York's Rockefeller Center raises its annual Christmas tree, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season.

Published

6 months ago

Categories

Lifestyle

Topics

United States

Places

United States of America, New York City, New York

Transcript

Its arrival at Rockefeller Center ushers in the holiday season in New York City. But there are challenges to relocating an 80-foot or 24-meter-tall Norway Spruce. Weighing in at around 10 tons, the tree was donated by Joseph Balku of New Jersey. SOUNDBITE: Joseph Balku, who donated the tree to Rockefeller Center, saying (English): "I was very happy and sad because now I'm going to lose the tree but in the meantime I'm going to come in here where it's great, where everybody can see it, everybody can enjoy it because it's a beautiful tree." Onlookers braved hours of chilly weather to watch the tree-raising. SOUNDBITE: Carol Ludwig, tourist watching tree being raised, saying (English): "It's wonderful, it really is. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity." SOUNDBITE: Dan Smith, newlywed tourist from Nottingham, England, saying (English): "I think is just, it's amazing. So it really just does feel like everything is coming together and it's just..." SOUNDBITE: Rachael Smith, newlywed tourist from Nottingham, England, saying (English): "Highlight of the honeymoon really." SOUNDBITE: Dan Smith, newlywed tourist from Nottingham, England, saying (English): "It is really, so far." The Spruce will be adorned with 30,000 LED lights in time for the ceremony on November 28th when the tree will be lit.