Bundled and leaning on each other, Christmas trees are piled high at a street mark in NYC.

Looking back on a trip extends the pleasure of travel for us, and that usually happens when we review the photos we took. Oh, sure, we have pics of famous sites — that’s the main thing we come to see.  But sometimes another subject surprisingly presents itself when we download pictures to our computer.  For our Christmas Holiday NYC — we noted an unexpected theme: trees of New York .

Now why we didn’t expect to see Christmas trees lining neighborhood sidewalks, we don’t know.  But we didn’t.  In our home state of Tennessee, Christmas trees are sold on large, open lots where firs and pines and spruces are fluffed out and nailed upright in criss-cross board tree stands, ready for purchase.

But in New York, where space is at a premium, trees snug up to one another as they lean against a wall or storefront.  And different is good.  Christmas comes in many forms, and we love seeing how holidays are celebrated wherever we go. Piles of leaning trees indicate something special to us: city folks love real greenery as much as we do!

Piled up at a street corner shop, Christmas trees wait for NYC shoppers!

We also noted another first-for-us sight:  branches and pine cones laid around tree trunks. Love this idea.  Why not use greenery to beautify sidewalks and parks? We could do this in our city, too.  It’s called recycling!

Greenery and berries decorate a sidewalk in NYC.

Workmen in Bryant Park add greenery to the landscape.

As you can imagine in a city the size of New York, Christmas tree sightings are frequent.  And here are a few of our favorites.

Rockefeller Center — where people took selfies or posed for others.  There’s nothing more magical than this iconic tree — it’s the big one, for sure!

Everyone looks for this one in Rockefeller Center!

Taking turns at taking pics — Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2015

Bryant Park — At the top of the ice rink, the tree anchors the space and adds color and cheer.

Skating rink at Bryant Park

The Metropolitan Museum of Art — A towering tree of twenty-two cherubs and fifty-five gracefully suspended angels attracted a huge crowd.  They were all taking pictures of the tree and the Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the bottom surrounded by shepherds and their flocks, wise men, and adoring townspeople.

Baroque Christmas tree at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Townspeople neatly arranged at the base of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree

The New York Public Library — a floor-to-ceiling tree, elegant and expansive surrounded by a base of branches and pine cones.

The 2015 Christmas tree at Public Library of New York.

And then there were others — random trees that caught my attention at just the right time for me to snap them with an iPhone!

White branches form an interesting entrance for a NYC business.

A passerby checks her phone while standing by a twiggy, silver and white tree.

Gold balls, white bows on a hotel Christmas tree in NYC

So, yes, Virginia.  New York does do trees at Christmas.  Lots of trees.  From Rockefeller Center to tiny flats — it’s Christmas, and a traditional one at that.  Just different!

To read more about Christmas in New York, check out all our posts at Christmas Holiday NYC.