Can any Ironworkers explain the christmas tree? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

funk5stacks · 05-17-2008, 10:56 AM

It seems i see a christmas tree on top of the structural steel as its going up, is this for good luck? whats the story behind it?

this is from a job i worked on recently.

neolitic · 05-17-2008, 11:06 AM

It comes from us carpenters.

"My Builder Says We'll Be "Wetting the Bush" Next Week. What Does This Mean?
This is a great first celebration for your new home.
There is an Old English (and New England) tradition called "wetting the bush" which happens when the roof is framed. An evergreen (an ancient symbol of life) is nailed up to the roof frame and libations (usually alcoholic) are imbibed with toasts to the future health and happiness in the new home, etc.
The Owner is expected to bring the beverage (of high quality) to share with the building crew.
Enjoy! This is a great first celebration for your new home."

We talked about it here:
http://www.contractortalk.com/showth...t=wetting+bush

Ironworkers "adopted" it as part of the topping out ceremony.
It's all good luck!

mickeyco · 05-17-2008, 11:11 AM

It's a union thing, no questions, and don't mention it again.

.

neolitic · 05-17-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyco

It's a union thing, no questions, and don't mention it again.

.

funk5stacks · 05-17-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

It comes from us carpenters.

"My Builder Says We'll Be "Wetting the Bush" Next Week. What Does This Mean?
This is a great first celebration for your new home.
There is an Old English (and New England) tradition called "wetting the bush" which happens when the roof is framed. An evergreen (an ancient symbol of life) is nailed up to the roof frame and libations (usually alcoholic) are imbibed with toasts to the future health and happiness in the new home, etc.
The Owner is expected to bring the beverage (of high quality) to share with the building crew.
Enjoy! This is a great first celebration for your new home."

We talked about it here:
http://www.contractortalk.com/showth...t=wetting+bush

Ironworkers "adopted" it as part of the topping out ceremony.
It's all good luck!

thanks neo, never heard that before. i'm going to look like a genius on the job now

funk5stacks · 05-17-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyco

It's a union thing, no questions, and don't mention it again.

.

hahaha! the real response i got from the union tradesmen i was working with was "uhhhh, i dunno"

SelfContract · 05-17-2008, 11:37 AM

Is it because this pix you took ....was a week before Dec 25 (X-mas day)?... where everyone's spirit is... looking toward a big holiday/family celebration/reunion?

(Yeah, they're all get tired of working..X-mas in July)

buildenterprise · 05-17-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

"We'll Be "Wetting the Bush" Next Week.

Did that last night......

neolitic · 05-17-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funk5stacks

hahaha! the real response i got from the union tradesmen i was working with was "uhhhh, i dunno"

Lotta that going around lately.
When I was coming up, we used
to learn from the old hands, both
skills and traditions, and there was
respect for tradition...and age.
Now-a-days it seems like if you're old
you are just stupid and behind the times.
Move over and get out of the way!

Somehow it doesn't feel like things are
really improving as a result.

funk5stacks · 05-17-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Lotta that going around lately.
When I was coming up, we used
to learn from the old hands, both
skills and traditions, and there was
respect for tradition...and age.
Now-a-days it seems like if you're old
you are just stupid and behind the times.
Move over and get out of the way!

Somehow it doesn't feel like things are
really improving as a result.

i have a lot of respect for the Union. if it wasn't for them i would not be making what i make today. our company has debated long and hard over joining. we're just not there yet. there's been a lot of turnover for the company i've worked for on this job, a lot of guys there just to collect a check, sad really. but then again theres always a few bad apples.

billy d · 05-17-2008, 05:44 PM

Hi guys just found this thread Neolitic as usual has it 100% right in England we call it the "topping out party".It's a tradition that's very much in use here in Germany.About 95% of new building still keep this tradition.the tree is nailed to the highest part of the building and the Carpenter climbs to the ridge with a bottle of snaps and toasts the health of the new HO's and then every trade that has worked on the building a proses that could easily involve 10 shots from the bottle the Carpenter then throws the glass from the roof and if it breaks every body looks on this as a sign of good luck for the new house.Food and drink is then supplied to any one that worked or helped on the building of the new home.Sadly I don't think you see a lot of it in England but it is very much alive here have fun.Billy

neolitic · 05-17-2008, 05:57 PM

Hooray for the Krauts!

reveivl · 05-17-2008, 08:42 PM

When I got into the trades doing timber framing this was a tradition once the frame was raised. Billy D has it, it comes from Germany, and is an OLD tradition, (Pre-Christian). I understood that it was a sacrifice to the tree gods for allowing you to use their trees for your home.

helldog68 · 05-27-2008, 09:52 AM

The actual term "christmas tree" has nothing to do with the actual tree at all. When you put a tree on the last beam its called "topping out" and the tree is supposedly thanking nature for the resources made availible. Christmas Tree means you are sending up more then one structual member at a time with your crane. At least thats how we use those 2 terms around hereanyway, it wouldnt surprise me if it was diffrent somewhere.

reveivl · 05-27-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helldog68

The actual term "christmas tree" has nothing to do with the actual tree at all. When you put a tree on the last beam its called "topping out" and the tree is supposedly thanking nature for the resources made availible. Christmas Tree means you are sending up more then one structual member at a time with your crane. At least thats how we use those 2 terms around hereanyway, it wouldnt surprise me if it was diffrent somewhere.

Why do you say "around here" w/o letting us know where "here" is? I'm interested, but... If you put your location in your profile this would make more sense.

helldog68 · 05-27-2008, 05:51 PM

Im from the NY/NJ/PA area. Sorry about that i didnt know it wasnt in my profile.

Driftwood · 09-21-2008, 08:54 PM

I worked Hi Risers for Years. Last beam is sometimes painted white.
A christmas tree is topping off celebration. Nice lunch ,and the suits are there.

denns · 10-14-2008, 01:03 AM

Here in Vegas we "Top Off" with eather an American Flag and or a Christmas tree. It is a sign to the owner that the building is Topped off and that the Crew, sometimes consisting of hundreds of workers is ready for a party. They almost always comply too.

woodworkbykirk · 10-14-2008, 03:16 PM

i recollect someone talking about this before, not on the the boards but on a documentary about iron workers. if memory serves correct the tree is set at the top of the building as a tribute to the families of workers who have either died or been injured on the job

Celtic · 10-14-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyco

It's a union thing, no questions, and don't mention it again.
.

Quote:

The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious practice of placing a tree on the top of a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their ancestors that had been displaced. The practice migrated to England with Scandinavian invaders and took root there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topping_out

It really has nothing to do with unions - but rather craftsmen as a whole.