The Tree at Rockefeller Center
Photo Source: Thomas Hawk
What once started as a simple gesture to cheer up construction workers during the holidays throughout the Depression Era has become a holiday icon. As the tree at Rockefeller Center ascended to the world’s most famous Christmas Tree, much has changed. Last year for the 75th anniversary, organizers of the event introduced a bold sustainability initiative. In the spirit of giving back to the land which yielded the donated tree, organizers focused on incorporating environmental consciousness into the three main phases of the tree’s life as a holiday icon.
Phase 1 – Cutting: Last year the tree was cut with a 2-person handsaw. Harvesting and transportation were carbon off-set making the event virtually carbon neutral. Organizers also replanted/re-greened the environment from which the tree came and recycled all materials used in the process.
Phase 2 – Lighting: To illuminate the tree in a more sustainable way, the tree was donned with 30,000 of the latest LED (Light Emitting Diode) Christmas lights. Photovoltaic panels were also added to the roof nearby to power the tree and remain as a permanent fixture of Rockefeller Center.
Phase 3 –Recycling: In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the tree was milled, treated and returned as “green” lumber. This donated lumber was used in the door frames of selected HFH building programs in NYC, the Gulf Coast, India and Brazil.
This year the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center will again be donated to Habitat for Humanity to furnish wood for the nonprofit organization’s housing projects.