What is the history of the Russ family's Christmas tree?

The tree was planted around 75 years ago by Dan Russ's great-grandparents in the yard of their East Greenbush home.

How did the Russ family's tree end up at Rockefeller Center?

After Judy Russ and her son Liam visited the biggest Christmas tree in New York City last year, they realized their own spruce back home was perfect for Rockefeller Center. Judy reached out to a family friend with a relative who works at Rockefeller Center, and the rest is history.

How does Judy Russ feel about her late husband Dan's tree being the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?

Judy says she knows Dan would have loved to be there for this moment, and she is dedicating each light on the tree to him. She expects to be "inconsolable" on the day of the tree lighting ceremony.

Home / Lifestyle / Widow Honors Late Husband's Dream, Sends 75-Year-Old Tree to Rockefeller Center

Widow Honors Late Husband's Dream, Sends 75-Year-Old Tree to Rockefeller Center

8 Nov

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Summary

Tree planted 75 years ago by husband's great-grandparents
Widow Judy Russ fulfills lifelong dream after husband Dan's passing
7-year-old son Liam "excited the whole world can see it"

Widow Honors Late Husband's Dream, Sends 75-Year-Old Tree to Rockefeller Center

In a heartwarming tribute, Judy Russ is carrying on her late husband Dan's lifelong dream of getting their family's 75-foot-tall Norway spruce to the front of Rockefeller Center. The tree, planted around 75 years ago by Dan's great-grandparents in the yard of their East Greenbush home, is now set to become one of the most iconic Christmas trees in the world.

Five years after Dan passed away at the young age of 32, Judy decided to make their dream a reality. On November 8th, the tree was transported from the Russ family home to the center of Midtown Manhattan for the holidays. "As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment," Judy told NBC. "We always talked about it being the (Rockefeller Center) tree. It's so special that my family's tree gets to be America's, if not the world's, Christmas tree."