**What Happens to the Rockefeller Center Tree After It Comes Down? – Next Steps for the 11-Ton Norway Spruce**
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a beloved symbol of holiday cheer in New York City, has bid farewell to its festive role as the lights on the 11-ton Norway Spruce dim for the final time. As the holiday season draws to a close, the iconic tree is ready for its next chapter.
**The Legacy of the Rockefeller Center Tree**
For those who wish to catch a final glimpse of the magnificent tree, the window of opportunity is fleeting. Until 10 p.m. on Saturday, spectators can marvel at the grandeur of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree before it goes dark, marking the official end of the holiday season in the Big Apple.
This year’s tree hails from Massachusetts, making it the first tree from the state to grace Rockefeller Center since 1959. A light dusting of snow added a touch of magic to the tree’s final day, creating a picturesque scene that will soon transition into a new purpose.
**From Festive Foliage to Functional Furnishings**
Once the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is carefully taken down, it embarks on a journey of transformation. The tree is laid in Rockefeller Plaza, where it is expertly cut up and transported to a yard in New Jersey. There, the tree is milled into two-by-four and two-by-six beams, each one bearing the prestigious Rockefeller Center stamp.
**A Heartwarming Transformation**
The story doesn’t end with the tree’s removal from Rockefeller Center. Tishman Speyer, the firm behind the management of Rockefeller Center, partners with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and improving homes nationwide. Through this collaboration, the lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is donated to Habitat for Humanity, ensuring that the tree’s legacy lives on in the form of shelter and hope for those in need.
As the lights fade on this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, its impact continues to shine brightly in the form of sustainable housing solutions for communities across the country. The journey from holiday spectacle to functional furnishings is a heartwarming reminder of the spirit of giving and the power of transformation that lies at the heart of the holiday season.
