This Year’s Rockefeller Center Tree Is From the Capital Region

NYC's Christmas Tree Is From the Capital Region

Every holiday season in New York City, one tree transforms Midtown Manhattan into a glowing symbol of joy and togetherness. Towering over Rockefeller Plaza, the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree isn’t just a decoration; it’s a moment of unity, wonder, and pride.

And this year, that pride runs right through the Capital Region.

The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a breathtaking 75-foot Norway spruce, and it's coming straight from East Greenbush.

A Tree With Roots in Family and Tradition

The tree was donated by the Russ family, who’ve called their East Greenbush property home for generations. For more than 60 years, that towering spruce has been part of their lives, serving as the backdrop for family photos, backyard celebrations, and holiday memories spanning decades.

“I’m excited to make more cherished memories with my family and childhood friends as it becomes the world’s Christmas tree,” said Judy Russ, who still lives in the historic family home with her 7-year-old son, Liam.

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Now, that same tree will become the centerpiece of the most famous Christmas display on Earth, visited by millions in person and seen by even more on TV.

From East Greenbush to the Big Apple

The spruce is estimated to be about 75 years old, and sources say it will be cut down on November 6, 2025, beginning its 130-mile journey to Rockefeller Center.

It’s set to arrive in Manhattan on November 8, where crews will raise it into place on the Plaza, marking the official start of the holiday season in New York City.

Once it’s trimmed, wired, and wrapped with 50,000 LED lights, the East Greenbush spruce will glow brighter than ever, a shining reminder that even a quiet corner of the Capital Region can help light up the world.

A Capital Region Honor

It’s not every day that a tree from our backyard becomes the centerpiece of one of the world’s most beloved traditions. For the Russ family, it’s a moment of pride, connection, and community that will forever be part of Rockefeller Center’s storied history.

So this year, when the lights flicker on and the crowd in Manhattan cheers, remember: that glow started right here, in the Capital Region.