In the 90 years since the tradition began, this is the first tree to come from Maryland.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a 90-year New York City tradition, has arrived in the Big Apple and is being prepared for its lighting. This year’s tree marks the first time that the Rockefeller tree was sourced from Maryland. It was donated by a Catholic family from Elkton, Maryland, who allowed it to be taken from their own yard.
According to the Tablet, Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, came across the tree as he drove around the Northeastern U.S. countryside scouting for this year’s tree, in March. He discovered the 79-foot-tall, 46-foot-wide Norway Spruce on the property of Julie and Devon Price, who were hesitant to let the 90-year-old tree go.