The lightning association probably comes from the jagged lines of the leaves, which resemble a bolt of lightning. Throughout Europe, English holly trees ( Ilex aquifolium ) were planted near homes to repel poison and protect from lightning and witchcraft. Holly was seen to be strongly protective, and to cut down a holly tree was very bad luck. Holly ( Ilex)ĭetail of holly leaf and fruit. If you plant an oak tree today, you will not live to see it reach full maturity-however, you are providing a valuable food source for many generations of wildlife, and pleasant shade for generations to come.Įxplore oak trees at Longwood Gardens. To me the oak signifies an investment in the future. In fact, oak trees are more likely to be struck by lightning than other trees, not only because of their height, but because their wood has low resistance to electricity. For this reason, placing an acorn on a window sill was believed to protect a home from lightning. The word “Druid” is thought to be derived from a proto-Celtic word meaning "oak-knower." The oak was also associated with Thor, the Norse god of thunder and lightning. Sacred groves of trees in the Greco-Roman and Celtic cultures were strongly associated with druidic practice. Priests of Zeus would listen to the rustling leaves of the sacred oak trees and interpret their meanings as the words of the god. The mighty oak-for its size, strength, and longevity-is a symbol of the strength and power associated with Zeus, the head of the Greek pantheon. ![]() Shumard oak ( Quercus shumardii), Pennsylvania champion tree on Oak and Conifer Knoll. To me, these are our sacred ash trees.Įxplore ash trees at Longwood Gardens. It is not possible, nor is it ecologically responsible, to protect all our ash trees from the emerald ash borer however, Longwood has selected 18 significant ashes to preventively treat. In anticipation of the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer approaching our area from the west, I haven’t planted a new ash tree in the last 10 years. I cannot think of the ash tree without some sadness. One such charm is that if a girl places an ash leaf in her left shoe and recites the following rhyme, she will learn the name of her future husband: Even, even, ash In classic mythology Cupid’s arrows were made of ash wood, which may explain why ash is used as a love charm in some folklore. Ash wood is both strong and resilient, making it ideal for tool handles and baseball bats. Similarly in Norse mythology , man and woman were created by the gods from an ash tree and an elm tree. One prominent white ash ( Fraxinus americana) specimen, seen here in early spring, greets you on your way to the Canopy Cathedral treehouse along the path between the Large and Small Lakes.Īccording to the creation stories of the Algonquin Nation, the first humans emerged from the bark of an ash tree shot by the arrows of the mythical hero Glooskap. Several great ash trees can be found around the Gardens.
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