The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2025 to be lighted for all to see, included Liam.

Hear the Story Behind the 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Widow Who Donated This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Says Husband 'Always Talked' About This Day.

Judy Russ and her son, Liam 7 shared their excitement over their family's Norway spruce being chosen as this year's Rockefeller Center tree in memory of husband and father, Dan Russ.  

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 now become reality, but with a bittersweet twist.  Dan passed at 32 years of age in 2020, so the tree from the Russ' home in East Greenbush will now serve as a memory of him when it shines bright for million 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.  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."

Judy Russ

The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce that has served as a jungle gym for their son, Liam, was cut down on November 6 and traveled on its way to Rockefeller Center where it arrived live on Saturday, November 8.

"I'm excited that the whole world can see it."

Liam Russ

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 back 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!  Needless to say,  Judy was stunned! Judy was head to say .. "I think I just hallucinated, like, 'We need to go back because there's no way this is real, right?"

Judy grew up in New York City, where visiting the tree at Rockefeller Center was an annual family tradition.  And so it will be extra special this year when she and Liam attend the official lighting ceremony on December 3 to share their tree with the world.

"Well, I cry at home in my living room when the tree is lit, so I'm probably going to be inconsolable that day, but it's going to be great. Spread soy, spread cheer, love one another.  Think of our family, think of my husband, this of us.  We're just happy to share it with everybody."

Judy Russ

Those 50,000 lights will also shine in memory of Judy's husband and Liam's father.

RIP Dan Russ

Judy and Liam

May Liam feel his father's loving embrace when he looks up at their family tree which has now become the Rockefeller Christmas Tree 2025.