The origin of the 'Bottle Tree' is thought to have originated around the 9th century in the central African region of the Congo. It was widely believed that the empty glass bottles would tempt roaming evil spirits and capture them as they entered the bottle through an 'encircling charm'. At night, as the wind blew, they could hear the moans of the imprisoned spirits. With the dawning of the new light of day, the evil spirits were consumed and all evil around the home was cast away.
This practice was also prevalent in the United States, predominantly in the Southern Plantation regions of the country. Folk tradition almost always preferred Cobalt bottles because of the elemental association of the blue color to that of water and the sky. This placed the bottle at a crossroads between Heaven and Earth for the spirits to enter.
Endangered Species builds very sturdy, hand-built bottle trees made from welded steel. We make three different sizes to best fit your vision in your yard or garden. Each tree is an original. Bottles are not included...you supply the color, memories, and stories.
