Haul out the holly! Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in New York City

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in New York City, signaling the start of the holiday season in the Big Apple. The 74-foot Norway Spruce was driven into Manhattan’s Center Plaza to be hoisted in place by a crane. It will take five miles of light strands with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED bulbs to wrap the tree. A Swarovski star crown sparkling with 3 million crystals will top it. The towering conifer was donated by a family in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It was cut down Thursday morning and loaded onto a flatbed truck for the 140-mile trip. The lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 4.