Full Version: a question about cemetery monuments
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Other > General Off-Topic Discussion > Hobbies & Interests
I hope I have this posted in the right place. Anyway, I like visiting old cemeteries, and being a genealogy researcher, I've been in many. My question is, what is the significance of a monument that is a tree with it's branches and limbs cut off. Just stumps sticking out everywhere. It's not exclusive to children, either, but all ages that I've been able to tell. One theory I've heard is that it represents a life cut too short. Any thoughts?
I have always heard that if a person is burried and it takes an unusually long time for the grass to grow on their grave, it meant that they lived a good life.
My grandpa died about 4 years ago, and he was a very good man.
I went to his grave 3 years after he died, and there was scarcely any grass grown on it.
Maybe the same thing applies to the branches on trees, that are near the persons grave.
My grandpa died about 4 years ago, and he was a very good man.
I went to his grave 3 years after he died, and there was scarcely any grass grown on it.
Maybe the same thing applies to the branches on trees, that are near the persons grave.
I'm talking about an actual headstone that is in the shape of a tree with it's branches cut off. I have heard about grass not coming up on graves, though. Signifying unrest on the part of the departed. Just another one of those "unexplained mysteries" I suppose. 
Perhaps it is a person who has not had children and thus cut short the family tree? Perhaps the last "last name" in the line.
Never come across any like that in Britain - so it may be a specifically American thing?
The only info I found wasthis, its not exactly a proper tree but could possibly be the same symbolism?
Source: Link
And here: Link, scroll down a bit on this one.
QUOTE
Tree-Stump Tombstones
Tree-stump tombstones depict a lifelike tree and is traditionally carved out of limestone or marble. This tombstone first appeared in the 1870's and was popular for approximately sixty years. Seen in Europe and the United States, these carvings qualify as folk art. The tree-stump design shows a living tree that has been cut down, suggesting that the individual was also cut down in the prime of life. Branches are also seen to be cut-off close to the stump, symbolising other family members who have died before their time. In some instances the initials of these family members appear to be carved into these cut-off limbs.
Inscriptions are cut into the "wood" where the bark has been cut away, or more often, a scroll appears to nailed to the stump, or suspended from a rope hanger. Various flowers and ivy are often carved as offerings at the base, or growing around the stump. An assortment of items are often seen on top of the stump, ranging from a cross, bible, anchor, flowers, or even the name and dates for the individual buried.
Tree-stump tombstones depict a lifelike tree and is traditionally carved out of limestone or marble. This tombstone first appeared in the 1870's and was popular for approximately sixty years. Seen in Europe and the United States, these carvings qualify as folk art. The tree-stump design shows a living tree that has been cut down, suggesting that the individual was also cut down in the prime of life. Branches are also seen to be cut-off close to the stump, symbolising other family members who have died before their time. In some instances the initials of these family members appear to be carved into these cut-off limbs.
Inscriptions are cut into the "wood" where the bark has been cut away, or more often, a scroll appears to nailed to the stump, or suspended from a rope hanger. Various flowers and ivy are often carved as offerings at the base, or growing around the stump. An assortment of items are often seen on top of the stump, ranging from a cross, bible, anchor, flowers, or even the name and dates for the individual buried.
Source: Link
And here: Link, scroll down a bit on this one.
QUOTE(LilaBurrows @ Apr 29 2005, 08:10 PM)
I'm talking about an actual headstone that is in the shape of a tree with it's branches cut off. I have heard about grass not coming up on graves, though. Signifying unrest on the part of the departed. Just another one of those "unexplained mysteries" I suppose.
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I have always wondered about these....I have come across tons of them here in PA...
I am not sure about the tree thing. But I thought I would share a strange custom. Now I am not sure if it a family thing or not, maybe someone else’s has heard about or does it.
Every time I return to Ireland my family always make a point to go out to the grave yard were my grandparents are buried and remove the grass and weeds and old flowers making the graves seem fresh. The grave yard is very old and there are no grounds keepers to look after the place. I asked my uncle why we always do this and he was not totally sure, but thought it was to keep their memories fresh.
Have you ever heard of this custom before?
On a lighter note there is a grave up there, probably a hypochondriac, that reads “I told you I was sick”
All The Best
Irish
Every time I return to Ireland my family always make a point to go out to the grave yard were my grandparents are buried and remove the grass and weeds and old flowers making the graves seem fresh. The grave yard is very old and there are no grounds keepers to look after the place. I asked my uncle why we always do this and he was not totally sure, but thought it was to keep their memories fresh.
Have you ever heard of this custom before?
On a lighter note there is a grave up there, probably a hypochondriac, that reads “I told you I was sick”
All The Best
Irish
QUOTE(Irish @ May 4 2005, 11:57 AM)
On a lighter note there is a grave up there, probably a hypochondriac, that reads “I told you I was sick”
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o gawd..
EDIT: b/c I can't spell...
QUOTE(Lottie @ Apr 30 2005, 11:31 AM)
The only info I found wasthis, its not exactly a proper tree but could possibly be the same symbolism?
Source: Link
And here: Link, scroll down a bit on this one.
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QUOTE
Tree-Stump Tombstones
Tree-stump tombstones depict a lifelike tree and is traditionally carved out of limestone or marble. This tombstone first appeared in the 1870's and was popular for approximately sixty years. Seen in Europe and the United States, these carvings qualify as <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=folk%20art" onmouseover="window.status='folk art'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">folk art</a>. The tree-stump design shows a living tree that has been cut down, suggesting that the individual was also cut down in the prime of life. Branches are also seen to be cut-off close to the stump, symbolising other family members who have died before their time. In some instances the initials of these family members appear to be carved into these cut-off limbs.
Inscriptions are cut into the "wood" where the bark has been cut away, or more often, a scroll appears to nailed to the stump, or suspended from a rope hanger. Various flowers and ivy are often carved as offerings at the base, or growing around the stump. An assortment of items are often seen on top of the stump, ranging from a cross, bible, anchor, flowers, or even the name and dates for the individual buried.
Tree-stump tombstones depict a lifelike tree and is traditionally carved out of limestone or marble. This tombstone first appeared in the 1870's and was popular for approximately sixty years. Seen in Europe and the United States, these carvings qualify as <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=folk%20art" onmouseover="window.status='folk art'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">folk art</a>. The tree-stump design shows a living tree that has been cut down, suggesting that the individual was also cut down in the prime of life. Branches are also seen to be cut-off close to the stump, symbolising other family members who have died before their time. In some instances the initials of these family members appear to be carved into these cut-off limbs.
Inscriptions are cut into the "wood" where the bark has been cut away, or more often, a scroll appears to nailed to the stump, or suspended from a rope hanger. Various flowers and ivy are often carved as offerings at the base, or growing around the stump. An assortment of items are often seen on top of the stump, ranging from a cross, bible, anchor, flowers, or even the name and dates for the individual buried.
Source: Link
And here: Link, scroll down a bit on this one.
[right][snapback]598667[/snapback][/right]
That sounds good to me. Thanks for all the help y'all.
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