It felt like we were at the top of the world!

Though it was only the second floor, the pride and sense of accomplishment was tremendous as we placed a bough of a white pine tree atop of our newly framed home.

As this is my first construction job, I had only recently heard of the tradition of ‘topping out,’ or ‘topping off.’ This builder’s rite of placing a branch or even a full tree on the highest point of a newly framed structure is a tradition that goes way back. 

In classical times, when forests covered the lands, trees held a special place in the hearts and minds of people and were revered as deities. It was expected to ask the forest for permission to use a tree for its wood to build before any was cut down, and then save a bough so that the tree spirit evacuated from the cut tree was not homeless. In a 1931 magazine essay, author William Collins conjectured that the custom began with a human gesture ‘to propitiate the outraged tree spirits.’

Scandinavians have been credited with the widespread use of the practice of topping off. They believed that it appeased the tree-dwelling spirits that were displaced during construction. It was also thought to provide the blessing of the forest gods and ensure fertility of the land, animals and womenfolk. A fir tree conferred the ‘bringing of life’ to the building, so that particular variety was a good choice literally and figuratively. We simply accept the practice as a good luck sacrament and a symbol of thanksgiving and respect. 

The practice of elevating a tree or bough evolved over time and became common throughout Europe. An additional custom evolved that included a celebratory drink and meal with those that participated in the raising of the house. If workers didn’t get free beer after a few days, the owners were considered greedy. The Dutch called this practice pannenbier, loosely translated to roof tile beer, and used a flag instead of tree, which was lowered only after the consumption of said free beer. Our tab at MV Wine and Spirits surely shows our generosity!

Topping off is still common in the UK, Iceland, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, and even in the US, having been brought to this country by immigrants. Though the tree tradition persists, flags, streamers, and even a table have also been erected at the top of under-construction structures. 

In the case of the table, it was a mahogany conference table (and chairs) that was raised in the mid 1980s at the Marriott at Copley Place Hotel in Boston. To commemorate the placing of the last steel beam during construction, the table and chairs were attached to the beam and the entire Board of Directors in hard hats took their place at the table and had a meeting to celebrate!

There are variations on this theme, some good and some bad. If a fatal accident occurred during the construction, then the tree is withheld. In New York, the custom is referred to as ‘roof tree’ or a ‘roofbush raising.’ For masonry projects, it is the last brick or stone that precipitates the event. And in some cases, the last steel beam is painted white and the workers sign their names to commemorate their accomplishment.

There is still a long way to go, including the installation of mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing, insulation and interior finish, before our house is ready for habitation. But the simple ceremony of topping off the house with the white pine has provided us with a huge sense of pride.

We will look to the fortitude of the trees to help deal with all of the challenges that building your own house brings. Hal Borland, a kindred spirit and fellow tree lover said it well. “To know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.”

Suzan Bellincampi is director of the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, and author of Martha’s Vineyard: A Field Guide to Island Nature.