This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was a real Christmas tree used in a Hudson Valley woman's home.

On Thursday at 9am Carol Schultze is losing a member of the family. The Florida, NY woman has been living next to a Norway Spruce for over 60 years and even spent time talking to it.

Back in 1958 Shultze says that she bought the tree to display in her home for Christmas. At the time, a salesman from Chester would sell live trees for Christmas, with the idea of planting the tree in the spring. Schultze decorated the tree and then planted it next to her home.

2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Cutting in Florida, NY
Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer
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Through the years Shultze would decorate the tree outside her home with Christmas lights. That tradition ended, however, when the tree started to grow to large to reach. Eventually, Shultze submitted the tree for consideration to become the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Years passed and Shultze never heard back. She told us that she felt bad for the tree, saying "I guess you're not good enough for Rockefeller Center."

2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Cutting in Florida, NY
Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer
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But Shultze never gave up hope. She knew that the tree would one day become America's most famous tree, and this year her patience paid off when Rockefeller Center came calling.

Carol says she will miss the tree but is proud that it will finally be lit up one more time for the entire world to see. The Florida, NY woman will be on hand on December 4 to see the official unveiling of the tree and enjoy the Norway Spruce one more time before it's eventually recycled into affordable housing.

2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Cutting in Florida, NY
Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer
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As for her empty yard, Carol says that she is planning to plant another tree, but hasn't decided what kind yet. Who knows, maybe it will be the 2080 Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

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