A German tradition of decorating trees and bushes with Easter eggs is known as the Ostereierbaum, or Easter egg tree. The tradition in Germany to decorate the branches of trees and bushes with eggs for Easter is centuries old, but its origins have been lost.
The egg is an ancient symbol of life all over the world. Eggs are hung on branches of outdoor trees and bushes and on cut branches inside. The custom is found mostly in Germany and Austria, but also in other German-influenced places such as Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moravia, and the Pennsylvania Dutch region of the United States.
Egg trees are also sometimes decorated on May Day, Christmas, Whitsun, and the summer solstice. Other German Easter traditions include the dressing of public wells as Osterbrunnen, Osterhasen (Easter Hares) and Osterfeuer (Easter bonfires).
This cache has been released in honour of Nottingham tree climber extraordinaire, CO supremo and holder of the coveted 'Virtual' cache award - Fairyspan. Fairyspan introduced me to the concept of the Easter Tree along with a very moving story of always decorating an Easter Tree but this year finding herself treeless.
This cache will hopefully redress the balance and also bring a smile to the local muggles and dog walkers. Feel free to add your own decoration to the tree.