Ripped From Yesterday's Headlines?

In my research, I've found that the story of The Christmas Tree is loosely based on David Murbach, the real gardener of Rockefeller Center, who acquired the 1995 tree from the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, NJ. In the article from the University of Delaware magazine, he describes the tree-finding process:

And, just how does Murbach know when he's found "the" tree? It's instinct, he says. "It must be like getting married," the single Murbach muses. "You just know when it's the right one.

You can read a lot more here.