The Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree is an iconic symbol of the holiday season, but once the festivities are over, the tree is taken down and recycled. The branches are chipped into mulch that is used to beautify local parks and gardens, and the trunk is recycled into lumber for community projects. The tree's lights are also recycled, and the star is donated to a museum or historical society. It's a way to keep the magic alive and to make sure that the tree's legacy lives on long after the holiday season has ended.