Uprooted: History of the Upside-Down Christmas Tree

By Amy Taylor
Photography by Don Beard

It’s a fact that the holidays can often be a frantic flurry of festivity, and it seems we don’t always know up from down. But one Greenwood family revels in the busyness of the holiday and intentionally flip-flops the frenzy, turning it on its ear.
 
Hailing from Arizona where they were first introduced to the custom of the inverted Christmas tree, the Dunn family continues the topsy turvy tradition each year. When they relocated to Greenwood 16 years ago, Clay Pettit, a friend and designer from Itta Bena, also suggested the inverted tree while decorating their home for the holidays. “We’ve always liked to incorporate unique elements in our holiday décor to keep it fresh and exciting. I just love the way you can see the ornaments and the way they hang,” explains Julie Dunn. “It’s also just whimsical and fun!” The tree, filled to the brim with vibrant colors and a vast collection of ornaments, old and new, is the focal point of their home and can be viewed inside and out.
 
Though the meaning behind the history of the inverted tree is somewhat ambiguous, the tradition dates back to the 7th century when it became customary in Europe to hang a fir tree upside down from the ceiling to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The ritual can be traced back to St. Boniface, who journeyed from England to Germany to preach the message of God. He spent time in Thuringia, Germany, a town considered the birthplace of the Christmas decoration industry. It is believed that St. Boniface used the triangular shape of the inverted fir tree to introduce the Trinity to the pagan people. Fourteen centuries later you’ll find the concept in department stores everywhere, although it’s believed that the trendy tradition presently stems from the retail industry’s attempt to invert artificial trees to make the ornaments more visible. Whatever the reason, the tradition has become the subject of much attention during the most festive time of the year.
 
“We have strong Christian beliefs, which we display in the word ornaments on the tree: Believe, Hope and Love,” Julie adds. “Even though the tree is a fun and festive addition to our home, it doesn’t replace the real meaning of Christmas. It’s just become a great family tradition we can enjoy together.”