For the holiday season Hermann the German Monument will be sharing its hillside with another impressive sight. A 40-foot tall Christmas tree was hung upside-down from a crane Tuesday morning.

The reason the tree is hanging upside-down dates back centuries and has origins in Germany. New Ulm Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Warmka said the tradition of the upside-down tree comes from St. Boniface from the seventh century.

During a mission to Germany, St. Boniface used the image of an upside-down tree to teach pagans about the Holy Trinity. This approach helped shift pagan worshipers from veneration of oak trees to embracing Christianity. In later centuries, families would suspend trees from the ceiling to save space and use unique ornaments.

“This project combines creativity and community spirit with a nod to the German heritage that has shaped New Ulm,” Warmka said. “We hope this unique display will draw visitors to experience the charm of New Ulm during the holiday season — from our beautifully decorated downtown to the variety of shops and boutiques to explore.”

Willis Schafer, owner of Schafer Crane, stands near the suspended Christmas tree hanging upside down in Herman Heights Park. Schaefer said the 1976 model crane will be able to hold the tree securely in place for the holiday season.

The idea to hang the tree in Hermann Heights Park came about last week. Initially the plan was to hang the tree in the downtown area, but this idea proved unworkable. Warmka said it was decided to relocate it to Hermann Heights Park because space was available and it would compliment the Hermann Monument.

The Christmas tree was originally located on a lot at 1600 Boettger Road next to the Oakwood United Methodist Church. The evergreen tree was scheduled to be removed to accommodate the construction of a new house for Jim and Mary Lou Schwartz. The tree was offered to the Chamber by the Schwartzs.

Warmka credited Chamber board member Rick Kamm with reaching out to local businesses to get the tree cut down and hung at Hermann Heights.

Kraus Tree Service volunteered their time to cut the tree down and Schaefer Crane donated equipment to help hang the tree.

The crane the tree is hanging from is a 1976 model. Willis Schaefer, owner of Schaefer Crane, said the crane the tree will hang from was the first crane his company purchased in 1981. The crane is rated to hold 12.5 tons. The tree weighs 1.5 tons.

A 40-foot evergreen tree weighing 2,500 lbs was suspended upside-down from a crane in Herman Heights Park Tuesday. This will serve as a community Christmas tree for the holiday season. The tree will remain upside-down as a tribute to a century old German tradition.

Schaefer acknowledged that hanging a Christmas tree upside-down was an unusual task for his company, but the operation went smoothly in large part to Kamm helping organize the work between Schaefer and Kraus.

Wednesday the tree will be wrapped in Christmas lights by New Ulm PUC linemen who are donating their time. The tree will be officially lit later that evening. The goal is to have the tree lit before the Parade of Lights on Friday, Nov. 29.