In order to determine why Dr Mannhardt thought the Christmas tree was related to the maypole I first had to figure out just what a maypole was. Most of the following information comes from the Maibaum (May tree) chapter in Forest and Field cults.
The maypoles that Mannhardt described in his book were put up at all times of the year: spring, summer, fall and winter. In fact, he described several different types of maypoles. The ones we are familiar with are summer maypoles, generally put up in May or for the summer solstice. Another common maypole was the harvest maypole which was erected at the conclusion of the fall or winter harvest. There were also maypoles put up for celebrations such as weddings and new house construction. Old sources refer to them by a few different names including: maypole, May tree, or simply “May or Mayen”. Occasionally a more prosaic term was used. For example, in France one of the names it was given was the “harvest bouquet”.
Maypoles were generally made using trees commonly found in forests in the area where it was put up. Conifers and birch trees were most commonly used. After the tree was selected and cut down, the lower branches were stripped off leaving the crown intact. The exposed trunk was sometimes painted or carved. In some cases whole trees were not used and the maypole consisted of branches that had been lashed together.
Next: maypole traditions and decorations
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