Gigantic Christmas Tree Hoisted In Rockefeller Plaza (PHOTOS)

NEW YORK — (AP) A 74-foot Norway spruce is getting ready for its close-up in New York's Rockefeller Center.

The tree was hoisted into place on Friday on a midtown Manhattan plaza, next to a skating rink.

At the time, the temperature was inching into the upper 50s.

The tree was donated by Peter and Stephanie Acton of Mahopac (MAY'-oh-pak), N.Y. It was cut down Thursday in the backyard of their Putnam County home.

Peter Acton, a New York City firefighter, was a 9/11 responder. The Rockefeller Center tree scout discovered the family's spruce this year, on Sept. 11.

The lighting ceremony is Nov. 30.
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Images by Getty Images:

Workers try to lift the Rockefeller Cent

• • • • • • • • • • • Workers try to lift the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree into the place on November 12, 2010 in New York. AFP PHOTO Kimihiro Hoshino (Photo credit should read KIMIHIRO HOSHINO/AFP/Getty Images)

Comments

[hemorrhage]

05:02 PM on 11/16/2010

Another of god's creations destroyed in the name of religion...

[shafismom]

10:33 AM on 11/15/2010

What a horrible waste. Imagine all the birds and other wildlife that used to make their home in that tree. We can always wait another 100 years to grow another one. The tree lighting ceremony used to be a nice, simple affair which they have turned into a circus for tourists. Every year it's a bigger and bigger deal earlier in December and later at night so they can squeeze in more "entertainment". Bleccch!

[fumes]

10:30 AM on 11/15/2010

a crime against arbority!

not to mention..

it was doing it's part to save us from CO2..

[NextYearLions]

09:41 AM on 11/15/2010

I read in my local paper that they got the tree this year a little north of where I live in Westchester County. I don't remember a tree being selected in that area in recent memory. I thought that was kind of cool, even though I don't celebrate Christmas. My friends always ask me to come down to the city to watch the tree lighting and I might do it this time.

[BlackYowe]

03:00 AM on 11/16/2010

Spruce trees of this size are at the end of their lives they don't go on like oaks and maples for generations. They are common and not a native tree. People put them in for privacy and they grow enormous and become very brittle and often bring down power lines and crush houses. It is weird all these people are making such snide comments about the Christmas tree. Either they are ignorant about trees or they hate Christians.

[Jamie Dufour]

02:08 AM on 11/15/2010

a wonderful tradition.....!!!

why so many must be so negative over such a positive event...you should be ashamed...

I personally see this original pagan symbol not as a religious symbol but as a symbol of beauty and good spirits...This yearly event at Rockefeller plaza has mesmerized so many regardless of background or views....

Just enjoy it.....please

[Aabby]

11:13 PM on 11/14/2010

i was heading to work when they brought it on Friday...even without lights and things, its a lovely tree. cant wait till they light it.

[lah007743]

09:03 PM on 11/14/2010

I'm glad someone can afford a christmas tree this year.

[Martha57]

08:53 PM on 11/14/2010

I live in Central NJ, maybe 50 miles from NYC, the train station is 3 miles from my home, I have lived here most of my adult life and every year I say, I want to see the tree and every year someone tells me, oh once you have seen it, it is no big deal, BUT, I say, I have never seen it. . .so this year I am treating myself to a trip in the city to see the tree, it is on my bucket list of to dos!

[Scott Douglas]

08:03 AM on 11/15/2010

I encourage you to hop on a train and go!!!
The whole plaza is filled with music and energy. Lots of people and good feelings.

[pagansmom]

02:57 PM on 11/14/2010

That's a mighty nice winter solstice tree. Saturnus will be pleased. :)

[BlackYowe]

02:29 AM on 11/14/2010

I wish they would take the twin I have in my yard. Nothing grows under it and its shading my apple tree and too close to my house.

[firstep]

07:04 PM on 11/13/2010

So cool Counterglow. You can comment on comments without having a Counterarguement. Yes the tree came out of Babylon. But was also talked about in the Holy Bible

[spasm65]

06:32 PM on 11/13/2010

Someplace for the unemployed and homeless to gather under....

[Martha57]

08:55 PM on 11/14/2010

That snarky comment was not necessary, be thankful if you are employed and have a home, it is nothing to laugh at or sneer about!

[spasm65]

12:54 PM on 11/15/2010

I am unemployed, and could face homelessness. It was simply a way to make my self laugh at the absurdity of raising a giant christmas tree when so many are suffering.

[julbar]

06:08 PM on 11/13/2010

NEW YORK — (AP) A 74-foot Norway spruce is getting ready for its close-up in New York's Rockefeller Center.

The tree was hoisted into place on Friday on a midtown Manhattan plaza, next to a skating rink.

At the time, the temperature was inching into the upper 50s.

The tree was donated by Peter and Stephanie Acton of Mahopac (MAY'-oh-pak), N.Y. It was cut down Thursday in the backyard of their Putnam County home.

________________________________________________________________________

I'm sorry but whoever wrote this should be put out to pasture.. Are you kidding me? Why the F is this person writing under the NY section? .. "..next to a skating rink? MAY-OH-PAK? Kill me now, Dude.

[Scott Douglas]

08:11 AM on 11/15/2010

I agree. I thought that was pretty lame. The plaza is an historic landmark in the center of Manhattan. Really wonderful.

[provgrays1]

06:00 PM on 11/13/2010

Isn't it a bit early yet?

[sixyfivepercentwater]

03:46 PM on 11/13/2010

It"s far too early for all this holiday stuff. Take it down and wait a month or two.