where did rockefeller tree come from

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree originates from a Depression-era effort started in 1931 by a group of Italian immigrant workers on the Rockefeller Center construction site in New York City. They erected a modest 20-foot balsam fir and decorated it with handmade garlands, tin cans, cranberries, and paper as a show of solidarity and to lift spirits during hard times. Over the years, the tradition grew into the iconic, annually donated Norway spruce that becomes the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center’s holiday celebrations. The tree’s donor origin and location have varied in the modern era, but it remains a steadfast symbol of community, generosity, and seasonal festivity.