Reiman's Pick
For the Week of May 24, 2010
Bottle Trees
Alexandria Meyer
Communications & Graphic Design Intern
Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
"She knew that there could be a spell put in trees, and she was familiar from the time she was born with the way bottle trees kept evil spirits from coming into the house - by luring them inside the colored bottles, where they cannot get out again." -Livvie by Eudora Welty
Bottle trees were brought to the United States by African slaves in the 18th century. These unique trees originated in ninth century Congo when the people of Central Africa held the superstition that genies and imps could be captured in empty glass bottles. People would place these glass bottles outside their homes to catch evil spirits, believing that the spirits were dazzled from the sunlit bottles. Once the spirits entered the bottle, they could not find their way out.
Bottle trees come in many forms, sizes and colors. Some bottle trees are not trees at all, but creative constructions meant to be portable. Often, people will use a tree stump with long nails hammered in to support the bottles, or plant a fallen tree branch in a pot of soil. Bottle trees are often found in the Southern United States, but can be "grown" anywhere. Creating strong branches to hold an empty bottle is most important when constructing a bottle tree. And, remember to choose bottles of various colors that are clean and luminescent in sunshine. Many will find old, glass bottles at yard sales or flea markets, but you can use something as simple as an empty wine or coke bottle.
To construct a bottle tree, just slide the bottles onto as many branches as desired. You can also create other designs using wire to hang bottles. Update your bottle tree by choosing seasonal colors or adding other decorative items celebrating different holidays or family celebrations. You can purchase pre-made bottle trees in many hobby shops if you don't have time to make one yourself. Pre-fabricated trees typically use metal rods for structure.
Bottle trees can be used in your lawn or on a porch. But if you believe the lore of bottle trees, then place it close to your home to capture evil spirits before they have a chance to enter.
This summer, there are beautiful examples of bottle trees at Reiman Gardens. Visit the Conservatory to view bottle trees designed for every season. With fascinating bottle trees, beautiful floral displays and new butterflies arriving daily, your visit to Reiman Gardens is sure to leave you enchanted.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/814861/make_a_colorful_and_unique_bottle_tree.html?cat=32
http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2008/10/bottle-tree.html
http://www.felderrushing.net/BottleTreeImagess.htm
http://www.squidoo.com/bottletrees |
