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Joel Lewenstein

Photo of Tommy Leep, the current tree, with Super Dave.

John Whipple ‘10 appeared in White Plaza yesterday dressed in slacks and a tie despite frigid temperatures and the horizontal rain. Whipple was not on his way to just any interview. He was stumping to be the Band’s next tree.

The freshman began to give a speech detailing the history of the fir tree to a small group of onlookers. But after a few sentences, three unidentified students — one in a gorilla suit and two wearing turbans and wielding baseball bats — leapt from a clump of bushes and attacked Whipple.

The gorilla-costumed student held the squirming Tree candidate down while the turban-wearing men lifted his shirt and pressed a piece of dry ice against his back, leaving an ice burn.

Whipple later explained that he would have preferred a metal brand, but said he opted for the dry ice after learning the metal would have taken his skin off.

Dak Steiert ‘07, who witnessed the branding, compared the stunt to others he had seen in the past.

“This stunt was more stupid [and] funny,” he said. “I would prefer creativity to that kind of thing, but at least he’s got dedication. I think [the burn is] going to hurt in about two to five minutes when it warms up a little bit.”

Meagan Moroney ‘10 was scheduled to perform a stunt in Kresge Auditorium during yesterday’s Sleep and Dreams lecture, but backed out at the last minute. She is still a Tree candidate, however.

Tree Week stunts will conclude tomorrow with two events at noon and one at 2 p.m. in White Plaza. The new Tree will be rolled out of bed by the Band early Thursday morning.