Here’s Why Small Trees Are Placed On Top Of Construction Sites

If you've been driving around Bozeman lately and noticed small trees and American flags on top of many of the construction sites in the area, you may have wondered why.

The one that stands out the most in the building under construction at the corner of N. 7th Ave. and Durston Rd. There is a small pine tree and an American flag. Across the street, The Elm is under construction. At the top of that site, an American flag can be seen.

Thanks to the Bozeman Reddit page, we now have an answer. On the page, a user asked;

Why do some construction building sites have a tree and a flag on the top of the structure?

According to the The Opus Group, the trees on top are known as topping trees. They signify the completion of a building structure. They are placed at the highest point of a construction project as a signal that a building has reached its final height. The ritual is centuries old and dates back to 700 A.D. in Scandinavia. It is also referred to as 'Topping Out.'

In some circumstances, the tree symbolizes that no one on the construction crew was injured or died, for others the tree stands as sign for good luck and prosperity for the future occupants of the building.

To learn more about the history of the ritual, click here.