Rockefeller Center in New York City gets giant tree for holidays

The 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Cutting at the home of Albert Asendorf and Nancy Puchalski on Nov. 4, 2015 in Gardiner, NY. Here the tree is loaded onto the flatbed truck to be transported to New York City. (Gabe Palacio/AP Images for Tishman Speyer)

By Associated Press

November 10, 2015

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A 78-foot Norway spruce from New York's Hudson Valley has been installed at Rockefeller Center for the Christmas season.

The 10-ton tree was hoisted into place Nov. 6. It will be illuminated on Dec. 2.

The tree was cut down from the property of Albert Asendorf and Nancy Puchalski in Gardiner, New York. It was put on a trailer for the 80-mile trip to midtown Manhattan.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center attracts tens of thousands of spectators and is watched by millions more on television.

After the holidays, the tree will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.

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CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION

Why might the tree need to go up so early?

Write your answers in the comments section below

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COMMENTS (59)

dimyam-day

11/10/2015 - 09:44 p.m.

One day I'm hoping I will get to see this tree. I have never been to New York City as weird as that may sound but, I would love for that the first time I went I got to see the Christmas tree. I will be sure to watch TV the day they put the lights on it. Until then, I'll be patiently waiting.

thomasm-day

11/11/2015 - 09:47 a.m.

Being one of those people who saw the 78 foot tree had to have been amazing. The tree brings in so much culture to the holiday season and people from different backgrounds even love it. People can just admire its colorful lights that are illuminated ever year in the month of December. It is amazing to see that New York does this every year and keeps that in their culture.

josephe-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:01 a.m.

they cut it down early

tylerc-1-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:04 a.m.

So that they don't have to mess with it when the time comes to decorate it. Also, just in case something happens they have time to fix the problem or get a new tree.

jerryd-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:05 a.m.

In case the tree dies.

carae-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:08 a.m.

It probably takes a long time to decorate and set everything up that goes with it.

katelyns-1-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:17 a.m.

They put the tree up so early to save time. Since they cut it rely they need to put it up and have enough time to decorate and get it ready for Christmas time.

dustinw-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:17 a.m.

I don't think should ever take the tree down.

christink-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:18 a.m.

The tree needs to go up so early because it might take along time to set up and because they are cutting the tree down.

kayleighb-mil

11/12/2015 - 08:18 a.m.

Because it would take awhile to put up