<P> With the lighting of the 50 - foot - tall (15 m) first official tree two years later, the tree became what Rockefeller Center dubbed "a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike ." A skating rink was opened below the tree in the plaza in 1936 . Rockefeller Center has observed the tree to be "from the beginning...a gathering place and reflection of what was happening in the world around it ." </P> <P> World War II ushered in simple, patriotic decorations, including red, white and blue unlit globes and painted wooden stars . In 1942, instead of one large tree, three more modest trees were raised, each decorated in one of the flag's colors . From 1944 until the war's end in 1945, the tree went unlit due to blackout regulations . After the war, the year of darkness was left behind, as six ultraviolet light projectors were employed to make it appear as though the tree's 700 fluorescent globes were glowing in the dark . </P> <P> By the 1950s, workers began using scaffolding to decorate the tree, as larger trees were accommodated . Before the decade was over, the decorating process called for 20 workers and nine days . 1951 marked the first time that NBC televised the tree lighting with a special on "The Kate Smith Show ." </P> <P> In 1969, artist Valerie Clarebout's towering wire herald angels were added to the Channel Gardens in front of the tree near Fifth Avenue . Clarebout created the 12 sculptures using 75 points of metal wire each . </P>

Where does the new york city christmas tree come from