We're looking for a pine tree!

You know, when a skyscraper is almost at its top floor, the construction crew starts looking for a pine tree to attach to the highest point. Ever wonder where that tradition came from...

History of the "Topping Out" Ceremony

The beam and the tree represent one of the construction industry’s oldest customs – the "topping out" of a completed project.

Scandinavian mythology suggests that humans originated from trees and our souls returned to the trees after death, giving each tree a spirit of its own.

Humans began constructing their shelter with wood. Before cutting a tree, they would formally address the forest, reminding it of the consideration they had always shown toward the trees and asking the forest to grant use of a tree for construction of their home. When the house was complete, the topmost leafy branch of the tree used would be set atop the roof so that the tree spirit would not be rendered homeless. The gesture was supposed to convince the tree spirit of the sincere appreciation of those building the home.

As time passed, the early conception of tree worship gradually changed. The individual tree spirits merged into a single forest god who could pass freely from tree to tree. Trees were no longer placed atop the home to appease spirits, but rather to enlist the blessings of the forest god. The tree branches on top of the home ensured fertility of the land and the home.

Today the custom is continued, across the world, most frequently on completed structures such as bridges and skyscrapers but will be placed on top of 'Maple Lodge'...why not?

We're almost at the top. Tim is gluing and nailing down the second floor decking in the photo to the right. The open area to the lower right is looking down into the living room. The view from the living room when seated on the sofa when looking upward will reveal the ceiling some 20-30' up.
 












The photo to the left is looking from Tim's vantage point toward the mountain view. Again, the open area looks into the living room.

Finally, the photo below is the view from the loft floor (second floor office/library area) looking toward the mountains. Sugar Mountain and Grandfather Mountain are out there to the right. You can easily see one of the slopes with snow already for opening day.

Well, I can easily see it but the photo doesn't depict it best. You'll see it when you visit.

The next step is to take delivery of the second floor SIPs system which is scheduled for delivery Wednesday morning. We're coordinating that delivery and the roof system delivery at the same time so the roof system driver can use his boom truck to lift the SIPs onto the second floor level.


Once these SIPs are in place (Wednesday) the roof system will be built and made ready for the roofers. Part of our roof will be asphalt shingles and another part will be tin roofing to give it an old original mountain look when completed.

Gotta go, it's still light out and I haven't found the pine tree that will adorn the top ridge of the cabin.

More coming,
z