Days After His Wife's Death, an 'Angel' Knocked. Now Tree They Planted as Newlyweds Is in Rockefeller Center

The story behind this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree sounds a lot like the Hallmark movies that many enjoy during the holiday season.

This year’s tree comes from Earl Albert, who donated a Norway spruce tree from his yard in honor of his late wife, Leslie Albert, according to Today. However, the full story goes back decades.

It all started back in 1967 when the then-newlyweds planted the tree in the front yard of their new home in West Stockbridge, Mass., according to NBC affiliate WNBC. Although originally a waist-high tree, it eventually grew to be 74 feet tall.

In 2020, Leslie died at the age of 78. Two days later, Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, just happened to spot the tree. "I saw this tree right in front of me coming down the road," he told WNBC. "And I knew I had to knock on the door."

Related: The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Has Been Selected — See the Photos!

Earl and Leslie’s son Michael described Pauze as “an angel" — and his wife Shawn said the family "took it as a sign."

"She loved everything surrounding Christmas, the tree, all of it," she added.

Earl told WNBC that being asked to donate the tree was “probably one of the greatest honors of my life” — and that he believed his late wife would be "thrilled."

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Earl had a health scare last month when he suffered a stroke, but his family told Today that they hoped he would be better in time to watch the tree lighting in person on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Related: The 2022 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Has Been Cut Down and Is on Its Way to NYC

“We thank everyone for their well wishes and thoughtful messages. Earl has been recovering from a stroke, and is receiving great care," the family said in a statement. "He is looking forward to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, and working hard to be able to attend in person."

Although the tree is no longer at the family home, they plan to put a memorial where the it used to stand — and Michael said that it means a lot to know the tree will now be the backdrop for countless new holiday memories.

“Honestly, it’s a tribute to my mom," Michael told Today. "It’s a new beginning for the tree. It’s a new beginning for our family."

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