Rockefeller Center Tree from Shelton NY Bound

A crew of more than a dozen workers, a large crane and a flatbed truck all helped get the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree out of the the Vargoshe family's front yard Thursday.

The 12-ton Norway Spruce is 75 years old, 76 feet tall and 47 feet in diameter. The Vargoshe family of Kazo Drive donated it.

The tree will be decorated with 45,000 multi-colored LED lights and a Swarovski Crystal star.

According the Vargoshe family, the neighborhood story tells that the owners of the home in the 1950s planted the tree after using it as a Christmas tree.

John and Louise Vargoshe settled in Shelton 22 years ago and their sons are now 15 and 12 years old. Over the years, the tree has been climbed, swung on and used for batting practice.

Their home has always been known as the "house with the big Christmas Tree in front."

"The tree has been in the front yard all my life," said Nathan Vargoshe, 15."There are lots of memories, so it will be strange when it is gone, but seeing it in Rockefeller Center, knowing it is our tree, will be awesome."

"People have always said the tree would be perfect for Rockefeller Center," said John Vargoshe. "We submitted the tree for consideration a couple of times. We stopped thinking about it and then we got the knock on the door asking if we'd consider donating the tree."

The Vargoshes are no strangers to the Big Apple, traveling to see past trees.

The family will especially appreciate the tree this year.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to attend the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It will be surreal to be there knowing our tree is under all of those lights," said John Vargoshe.

The 81st tree lighting is scheduled for Dec. 4 and will be live nationally on NBC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. locally.