Judy and Dan Russ had always thought the giant Norway spruce outside their home in upstate New York would make the perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
The dream has become reality, but with a bittersweet twist. Dan died at 32 years old in 2020, so the tree from the Russ’s home in East Greenbush will now serve as a memory of him when it shines bright for millions of visitors during the holiday season.
“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment,” Judy Russ told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on TODAY. “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.”
The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce that has served as a jungle gym for their son, Liam, 7, was cut down on Nov. 6 and is on its way to Rockefeller Center, where it will arrive live on Saturday TODAY on Nov. 8.
“I’m excited that the whole world can see it,” a proud Liam told Fryer.
The seed was planted in 2024 when Judy took Liam to Manhattan to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and couldn’t help but be reminded of their majestic tree at home.
A family friend has a relative who works at Rockefeller Center and was able to get a picture of the Russ family’s tree into the right hands.
Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, Erik Pauze, came to see the tree in person and decided it was the one that will be lit with more than 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star in 2025.
Judy was stunned.
“I think I just hallucinated, like, ‘We need to go back because there’s no way this is real, right?’” she said.
Judy grew up in New York City, where visiting the tree at Rockefeller Center was an annual family tradition.
It will be extra special this year when she and Liam attend the official lighting ceremony on Dec. 3 to share their tree with the world.
“Well, I cry at home in my living room when the tree it lit, so I’m probably going to be inconsolable that day, but it’s going to be great,” Judy said.
Those 50,000 lights will also shine in memory of Judy’s husband and Liam’s dad.
“Spread joy, spread cheer, love one another. Think of our family, think of my husband, think of us,” Judy said. “We’re just happy to share it with everybody.”
