The 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit yesterday. David Caplan provided some details about it, and we looked into our own archives to get a sense of its cost:

• 45,000 multi-coloured energy efficient lights adorn the tree. These cost around $13,500. A computer program that took three months to build powers the software that adds the beautiful shimmering glow to the tree.
• Solar panels power the lights helping offset upkeep costs.
• A Swarovski star with 25,000 crystals tops the tree and is estimated to be worth $35,000.
• The tree itself is 78 feet tall. Such trees usually cost around $25,000 but the Rockefeller Center always gets it as a free donation.
• This year it was donated by a family that has taken care of it for 80 years but recently decided it was getting too big for their property.
• The family that donates the tree gets front row VIP tickets to the tree lighting and other ceremonies.
• After the tree gets taken down it is turned into wood that is used to build houses for low income people.
• The wooden planks from the tree will be stamped with the words “2015 Rockefeller Center Tree”

Read more secrets about the tree here. And see our past coverage here.

Source: AM New York