The custom of placing a pine tree at the top of a new building stems from ancient superstitions. Some cultures feared evil spirits occupied new buildings; some religious groups still practice blessing rites for new homes and buildings today. The first evidence of tree topping occurred in Scandinavia in 700 A.D. and signaled that a completion party was about to begin.
Now, the "topping trees" celebrate the completion of the skeleton of a building; when one is hoisted to the top of a skyscraper, it signals that the building has reached its final height. For some builders the tree may represent that no one on the crew died during construction; it may also represent good luck and future prosperity for the building occupants.

Tree topping is also mentioned in the following sources:

TIME MAGAZINE, 12/22/58, p. 9, very short, only shows a picture of the tree topping of Time, Inc. Bldg., in New York City.

MINNEAPOLIS STAR, 4/11/62, short notice re: Tree topping Cargill Bldg.

Keywords: Construction Customs

Source: Fixit column in STAR TRIBUNE 3/15/98, p. E10

Revised: June 30, 1998