NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — It’s a sure sign that Christmas is coming.
A 77-foot-tall Norway Spruce arrived in New York City early Saturday morning to take its place as this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
PHOTO GALLERY: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Arrives In New York City
The 14-ton tree was cut down Thursday in the Village of Florida, New York, in Orange County.
It traveled down Fifth Avenue as a loud speaker played holiday songs.
Lights and sirens we drove down 5th Ave on our sleigh, asking overjoyed crowds to “Make Way, Make Way!” 🚨
So the 🌲 arrived safely to its new loving home, where delighted New Yorkers call it one of our own. pic.twitter.com/6nQwu2VNtv
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 9, 2019
A crane then lifted the giant tree off its trailer before workers guided it into place at Rockefeller Center Plaza.
Great job by @NYPDHighway ushering in the famous @rockcenternyc Christmas Tree, and thus officially kicking off the holiday season!
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! pic.twitter.com/fsfzGuJDBK
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 9, 2019
The man who picked the tree says he spotted it in the early spring only to find out the owners had sent in photos of the tree to be chosen years ago.
“Carol and Richard had sent it in in 2010, and then I saw it this early spring and then I went and knocked on the door and when they told me that, I kind of figured, wow, this is the tree that’s got to go to Rock Center,” Erik Pauze, head gardener of Rockefeller Center, said.
It will be decorated and wrapped with thousands of lights before the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4.