Rockefeller Center Christmas tree becomes Habitat for Humanity houses

Last month, this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit. But what of last year’s towering arbor? Apparently, it lives on in two pieces of New York real estate.

Last month, the 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has become the lumber supporting two Habitat for Humanity homes in upstate New York, according to the New York Post.

“Knowing that our walls contain the lumber from the Rockefeller tree will make the season even more special,” Keith, a single father of three, told the New York Post. “For my family, celebrating Christmas in our new home for the first time is something that we are already looking forward too.”

Both of the homes are in Newburgh. They were gut-rehabbed by Habitat using wood from the 78-foot Norway spruce, and in a way, it’s a unique homecoming for the tree.

The spruce was originally cut from the front yard of Nancy Puchalski and Al Asendorf in upstate Gardiner just 16 miles away, according to the Post.

“Now it is going into homes for families that will hopefully have generations of love and family in their home, too,” Puchalski told Habitat for Humanity. “It is beautiful to see it come full circle.”

This is the ninth year that the Rockefeller tree has become lumber for Habitat for Humanity.

This year’s tree is a 94-foot Norway spruce that also came from upstate. [NYP] —Christopher Cameron