Niall Mac Coitir assembles folklore of native Irish trees in his book "Irish Trees: Myths, Legends & Folklore." Trees of druids, saints and common folk await our discovery.
1) as markers of important community places such as royal sites and holy wells; and
2) as sources of magic power. These symbols of power and strength persist in Irish folk customs.
Suzanne Stempek Shea describes a modern holy well and tree in "Becoming Finola." Flat stones surrounding the well hold bits and pieces of offerings like gold coins and chains, and smooth pebbles. Petitions and offerings -prayers and pictures sealed in plastic bags, rosaries, medals, packs of cigarettes and a cell phone - festoon the tough shrubby tree growing about three yards from the well.
Coitir's book is a fine beginning if you want to embellish your landscape with traditional Irish trees. Keep in mind, though, that Coitir describes "trees" as did the ancient Irish. He includes many woody shrubs like gorse (Ulex europaeus), broom (Cytisus scoparius) and elder (Sambucus niger).
Poetry celebrates important pre-Christian places and trees. Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), called "the druid's tree" because of its flame-red berries, symbolizes protection and magic. Iubhdan, Leprechaun King, recites "The Death of King Fergus," a poem about the qualities and uses of timber.
Fifth century Christian missionaries recognized value in these ancient sacred sites and absorbed them into Christianity's slow spread. Legend says trees grew beside wells where saints like Patrick, Brendan and Kevin stuck their staffs into the ground. Colmcille (Columba) allegedly said he "dreaded more the sound of an axe in the oak grove of Derry than all the fears of death and hell."
Traditionally, five great trees that stood by royal or sacred sites. Three were ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) one was an oak (Quercus robur) and the last, a yew (Taxus baccata). The Metrial Dindshenchas or Lore of Places contains a poem that describes their traits and destinies.
Ash trees have strong and flexible wood, delicate leaves and new growth; they are symbols of healthy land, fertility and healing. Oaks supply strong timber, and acorns for animal food; their stately presence and long life symbolize fertility, strength, endurance and kingship. Yew trees provide outstanding timber for bows and furniture; they are symbols of death, eternity, and the afterlife.
Photos of all plants mentioned above are located at David Fenwick's excellent site: A Photo Flora of the Devon and Cornwall Peninsula. Acquainted with a similar Irish site? If so, please let me know.
Text and photograph by Georgene A. Bramlage, [March, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
The copyright of the article Druids, Saints and Trees in Landscaping is owned by Georgene A. Bramlage. Permission to republish Druids, Saints and Trees must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Mar 15, 2006 6:51 PM
Sally Morton
:
Georgene, I loved this article since I love trees. They have so much symbolism. From the branches and roots that symbolize families and tribes (so often used in genealogy), to the comforts of heat, strong shelter, strength, spiritualism and life. The National Arbor Day Foundation gives away 10 free oak trees to anyone who joins with a $10 membership (arborday.org). It's not widely known, but the Oak was voted the national tree of the United States.
Yet as your article points out, the mighty Oak has been playing a large role in the worldwide affairs of mankind since the ancients lived. An interesting story (written for children) about King Charles and the Royal Oak of Boscobel(wherein Charles hid when an outcast) can be found at http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=abbott&book=charles2&story=boscobel.
I really appreciate the Irish history you supplied. It's very interesting to know!
-Sally
Mar 15, 2006 7:55 PM
Georgene A. Bramlage
:
Sally,
Thanks for your kind words and the nice links.
I tried the link for Charles and Boscobel but it failed, so I'll try it again tomorrow. If it fails again, I'll try to figure out where and what the problem is.
G.
Mar 16, 2006 4:54 PM
Sally Morton
:
I'll try it again- I think I just ran out of room for the whole link to show. -Sally
Happy St. Patrick's Day, Georgene! I loved your article, too.
The great trees of the Pacific Northwest hold so much significance to the native peoples there. Everything from their canoes to the totems use the trees around them. These harbor many stories and much symbolism for them. Sometime could you write about those too?
Mar 17, 2006 7:09 PM
Georgene A. Bramlage
:
Barb,
Thanks :) I'm glad you liked the article. It was fun to do.
And now I have two more "tree ideas" from both you and Sally.
Erin Go Bragh!
G.
Mar 17, 2006 7:14 PM
Georgene A. Bramlage
:
Sally,
The problem with the link is that the Suite program cuts off the tail end.
I accessed the link properties and was then able to copy and paste the whole link into my browser address bar.
Again, thanks for the link!
G.
Jun 9, 2006 5:31 AM
Tyson Yunkaporta
:
a special tree for me is the silky oak, because it is linked to a special animal for me - the eel. eels have always been my guide in this life. their meat has a unique grain - almost unique. the silky oak wood has the same pattern. as such, these two are inextricably linked in the land. when one flowers, the other has its peak fat time. where there is one, you often find the other.
i have recently planted a dozen or so of these trees, and they are thriving already. i have also been working on restoring a dead creek choked with weeds. today, the first eel returned to that creek - a big oldman eel. i feel so excited about it. did the silky oaks bring him in, or did i? maybe we're all three of us the same...
tyson yunkaporta, writer for <a href="http://aboriginalrights.suite101.com/">Aboriginal Rights</a> at suite 101.
