Our local hospital is having a badly needed addition built.
This is what the building under construction looks like. Do you see an evergreen on what will become the roof? Maybe not - it's tiny in this view (taken from the road) but it's almost in the center of the photo.
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Let's crop the photo and see the tree better.
My spouse wondered why the tree was there. I knew the basic facts, but wanted to learn more. Turns out this is called a "topping tree". Hoisted with the top beam, it indicates the building has reached its final height.
Turns out that topping a building with a tree is an old custom, dating from at least 700 CE. Some builders believe it will bring luck to those inhabiting the building when it is completed.
Since this will be occupied by a hospital, let's hope so.
Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for #WordlessWednesday
...thanks for the explanation of tree topping.
ReplyDeleteI’ve ever heard of this custom. Very interesting idea
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw it. It's strange to be there. You are a good observer, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI hope the building will be finished soon!
Happy WW and a fine week! 😘❤️
Alana,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this and come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever seen a tree at the top of a building before like this. Interesting factoid! Have a happy WW, my dear!
New to me too but now I know I agree very interesting :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a toppingtastic week 👍
Tree looks like it is dying there
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this either. Way cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
I've never heard of that. I must have seen them though. I think it must have been winter, because I thought they were Christmas trees for decoration!
ReplyDeleteThat's a new one on me. But, I don't have any experience with construction, so there's no reason why I would have heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Never heard of it, but love that beautiful evergreen among all that steel.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool fact! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!!
ReplyDeleteLol. I always thought the term meant cutting off the tree's leader. Proves you're never too old to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, I use to work Chicago Downtown, and I would see those big buildings going up and it amazed me how those guys would go up there so high & do their thing!!! brrrrrrrrrrrrrr
ReplyDeleteWell, let's try this again. I don't think your comment section likes me, but here we go again. HI! Girlfriend, how ya doing? Love your post... I use to watch these huge buildings go up downtown when I worked on Wacker Drive. We were on the 12th floor. Don't see how those guys can go flying through the air like that. Gave me the willies! Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteAww ~ sweet tree ~ hope it survives ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)