Family’s Tree Will Shine for Millions: Widow and Son Donate 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

A special family donated a very special spruce to be the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree this year. But for Judy Russ, it’s as much a gift for her and her family as it is for America.

Judy Russ and her late husband, Dan, always dreamed of having their backyard 75-foot-tall Norway spruce lit up for Christmas. They never had a crane to do the job, but this year is the tree’s time to shine. This year, it will be the tree of all trees—at New York’s Rockefeller Center.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a Way to Honor Her Late Husband

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“Donating the tree is a way to honor my late husband, Dan, and all our family members who have passed,” says Judy, who lives in the historic family home with her 7-year-old son, Liam.

“He (Dan) would have loved to have been here for this moment. We’ve always talked about it being the tree,” Judy said. “So it’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s—if not the world’s—Christmas tree.”

Family’s Wish Granted to Have Family Tree Be The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Judy had a friend whose relative works at the Rockefeller Center. They put in a good word for the tree, the head gardener, Erik Pauze, came to inspect it, and it passed the test. It was meant to be.

“I just hallucinated. Like, we need to go back because there is no way this is real, right?” Judy said of hearing the news that her tree was picked.

“What I look for is a tree you’d want in your living room, but on a grander scale,” Erik said. “It needs to make people smile the second they see it. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect.”

Erik visited the tree several times throughout the year to water and care for it.

“I’m excited that the whole world can see it,” said 7-year-old Liam, who used to hang on the tree’s branches.

The tree went to The Rockefeller Center on November 8th and will be strung with over 50,000 lights on December 3rd.

Happy Tears Ahead

“I’m probably going to be inconsolable that day, but it’s going to be great,” said Judy, who is from New York City and cries at every Rockefeller tree lighting.

“We’re just happy to share with everybody,” the widow said.

After the Christmas season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, and its wood will be used to build homes for those in need.

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“Every tree we select not only brings joy to New Yorkers during the holiday season, but it also continues to give back long after it leaves Rockefeller Center,” Erik says. “Knowing it will help build homes for families makes the process even more meaningful.”

What a blessing that the Russ’s tree will get to be used to share joy with the thousands who see it this year. This event will be forever stamped in their hearts.

WATCH: Family’s Tree Will Shine for Millions: Widow and Son Donate 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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h/t: Rockefeller Center

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.