Evergreens

[demonbulleagle]

OK So I have seen the ceremonial Evergreens placed on the highest point of a B&M (I think its just them) coaster under construction. What is the real point to go with that?

[FParker185]

I think it's just cause most coasters being built in the US of course are built during the wintertime, and generally the highest parts of the ride are completed as early as possible before the really harsh weather sets in, and that's generally ends up being around X-mas time, so most parks will put an X-mas tree up there at the highest point. Nothing more than that.

[demonbulleagle]

I have seen them in the middle of summer, They attach a tree when they put up the highest point. But I still don't get it.

[FParker185]

I cant think of a single B&M south of the Equator, so I cant say I have any recollection of a B&M being built in the summertime except maybe for Led Zeppelin at HRP, which I didn't follow the construction of.

However, through the miracle of Google, I did look into the ceremony of placing an evergreen tree on the highest piece of any steel structure, buildings included, and it is customary to put an evergreen tree and an American flag on the highest part of any structure. There is some debate over the tree, it either signifys that the job has has no loss of life, or it's for good luck for the rest of the job and future occupants, or I guess in the coaster department, riders.

Here is an example for a building

https://asc.llnl.gov/tsf/tsf_scrapbook/ ... _large.jpg

[sfgamguy]

look what I found!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwj8A2U6kqY&feature=related

''Construction crews at SeaWorld Orlando fitted and secured into place the highest track portion of the parks new flying coaster, Manta, 140 ft above ground. Upon fitting the piece into place, a ceremonial evergreen was placed atop the newly secured track segment.
SeaWorld will unleash the next generation of thrills with Manta -- a mega-attraction that dynamically transports guests from the awe of encountering rays in underwater flight into the sensation of actually being one. Manta will inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down, in a horizontal position, aboard a manta-inspired steel coaster. Manta is slated to open summer 2009.

Signaling the attainment of the highest structural element of the construction of a building or other structure, a tree topping ceremony is a tradition traced back as far as 700 A.D. In the steel trade, the ceremonial evergreen is a symbol of good luck and an announcement that the construction has officially reached the sky.''
EDIT:there is also a tree on top of AE. it has lights on it

[zjohn1988]

The tree on AE is there every year.

[demonbulleagle]

Yeah it is, and they have lights on top of STT that when they are turned on it looks like i Christmas tree