Questenbaum, Wheel-cross oak trunk on a cliff in Questenberg, Südharz, Germany

The Questenbaum is a peeled oak trunk set on a karst cliff in Questenberg, in the southern Harz. A wheel cross of wood sits on top of the trunk, a bush of tree branches crowns the tip, and two tassels of birch twigs hang at the sides of the cross. The oak is replaced about every ten years.

The Questenbaum is a peeled oak trunk topped with a wheel cross, a bush of branches and two birch-twig tassels, set on a karst cliff in Questenberg. The oak trunk is replaced as needed, roughly every ten years, by the local Questenmannschaft, the group that also renews the birch greenery each Pentecost Monday for the Questenfest.

Each Pentecost Monday, the Questenmannschaft decorates the wheel cross and the two side tassels with fresh birch foliage as part of the Questenfest. The tassels are made of birch twigs, and the crown of tree branches at the top is renewed at the same time.

The tree is attached to a rock face and sits high on the rocks, so it is best viewed from a distance or from below. The best time to visit is during Questenfest on Pentecost Monday, when the community gathers to celebrate and the tree is freshly decorated.

The oak trunk is not replaced on a fixed cycle but only when needed, roughly every ten years. The fresh birch greenery on the wheel cross and the two side tassels is renewed each year on Whit Monday by the Questenmannschaft during the Questenfest.