Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Tree Lore

Here I have compiled what information I have on the trees so far.  I hope you find some of this interesting Enjoy.



Alder:

Folk Names:
Gummy/Gluey (European), Rugose/wrinkly
Description:
Large (European) or small (Seaside, Tag, Hazel - "Shrub-like") trees with rounded or oblong crowns and gummy twigs and foliage (European) or many branched/trunked (Seaside, Tag, Hazel),  elliptical (all), nearly round (European), ovate (tag), to obviate (Hazel leaves that are double-toothed (European) or saw-toothed (Seaside, tag, hazel) and are shiny (European/Seaside) or dull (Tag/Hazel) dark green above/light green with tufts of rusty airs below (all). The bark is brown (European/Seaside) or Grey (Tag/Hazel), smooth, and often furrowed (European) or thin (Seaside). Tiny flowers in catkins (male) and cones (females) (European) and flowering in autumn (Seaside) or spring (European/Tag/Hazel). Grows to a maximum height of about 50-70 feet (European)/30 feet (Seaside)/20 feet (Tag/Hazel).

Lore:
Attributed to the element fire, the god Bran the Blessed, and is believed to be feminine due to its water aspect, and associated with the raven/crow/gull as well as the garnet. It holds the powers of prophecy, oracular strength, intelligence, to reduce water, resurrection, and the knowledge of air. If this card, rune, or stave is chosen, one can be assured to find spiritual protection in disputes, oracular strength, and guidance. It is also associated with the colors of crimson, green-brown, and royal purple. (Glass-Koentop) Celtic Tree of Life. This is the Celtic tree of resurrection and the emergence of the solar year. Alder -- der -- dur -- endure = enduring God. Bran = crow (death) = raven = alder (fertility).

Magical Aspects:
Attributed to the Fourth Lunar month and the fourth moon - the moon of utility, Alder is often used in building/construction magic. Also used for resurrection magic. It is also known as the "faerie's tree" in Celtic lore, so is good for fairy magic

Ash:

Folk Names:
Nion, Unicorn's Friend
Description:
The "World Tree" whose branches spread out like open arms to embrace the world. Known to many as the "umbrella" tree. Large tree with a straight trunk and a dense rounded crown of foliage. She reaches a maximum height of eighty feet (25 feet in Flowering Ash) and possesses opposite, pinnately compound leaves that turn purple or yellow in Autumn (White Ash only). She flowers small clusters of purple blossoms (or often greenish white in European Ash) and small numerous white flowers in Flowering Ash.
Lore:
The Great Mother, who portrays a cosmic world tree - the "ygdrasil" whose triple root goes to air, to water, and to "hel" - the fiery land beneath the earth. It is Ash that conjoins the Mother (Ash) and the Father (Oak). Ash is also often see as masculine, and is attributed to the sun, the element fire, and the Gods Uranus, Poseidon, Thor, Woden, Neptune, Mars, and Gwydion. Ash possesses the powers of protection, prosperity, sea rituals, and health. As a "sun" tree, s/he is honored at the Winter Solstice in the "sun" rituals. One of the sacred three trees - Oak, Ash, and Thorn celebrated in British songs. Where the three grow together is a grand place to find fairies ("the little people") which may have been the Picts). To the Celts, Ash was the span of existence from past to present to future - Abred, Gwynedd, and Ceugant: Creation, balance, and destruction. Represents "same-ness" or equality, and is the symbol of the saying "as above, so below". If one chooses this card, rune, or stave, it represents that all things are linked and that everything becomes connected, earthly and spiritual, from lowest to highest. It demonstrates that ones deeds form part of a far greater, even endless, chain of events, and that ones inner pathways have reactions to the outer world. Norse sacred Tree of Life. The Edda says that humans evolved from Ash trees -- Yggdrasil. An Ash-tree was also Gwydion's steed in the famous Celtic Battle of the Trees. If you give someone a branch or flowers from an ash tree, in the language of flowers it means: "with me you are safe."
Magical Aspects:
To protect oneself from drowning in the sea, one would carve a piece of Ash wood into a solar cross and carry with oneself. Since Ash is a "water" tree, s/he is often used in sea rituals, and the Teutons used Ash as their Ygdrasill (World Tree). Ash leaves were placed in pillows for prophetic dreams and hung over door posts to keep away evil influences/sorcery. Ash is used in protective sachets/amulets/spells. Ash is a base ingredient in healing wands and to prevent illness. A circle of ash twigs tied around a snake bitten victim will cure the bite by belief that snakes have an innate fear of the Ash tree and even their venom will withdraw when Ash is brought near. Burned at Yule, Ash will bring prosperity. Ash attracts lightning so one can harness the energy. Carrying the leaves will gain the love of the opposite sex. Sick children are often passed under Ash clefts in the British Isles. Pins thrust into ashes and then used to prick warts will cure them. One of the nine sacred woods burned in ritual fires, particularly during the Winter Solstice. A Druidic wand with spiral decorations carved on it was found in Anglesey, England (1st. c. AD). Carrying these branches will allow one to see a unicorn or perhaps attract the magical critters. Representing the Third Moon, Ash is great for water magic, being the Moon of Floods. The ash was used to do "protective magic" for the banishment of some malign magic being sent to one of the group's members
Medicinal:
Ash (white/european) are used for diuretics/laxatives, Jaundice, gout, and rheumatic conditions (tender tops and leaves infused). Its bark can be used to clean out the liver and spleen, strengthen the immune system, to treat fevers (such as malaria, it is an alternative for quinine), and its fruits are used to allay gas pains. White Ash is used for uterine conditions, fibroids, uterine enlargement/tumors, and infantile eczema. European Ash treats gout and rheumatism. To cure warts, rub the wart with a strip of bacon, cut a slit in an ash tree, and insert the bacon into the bark. The wart will disappear and reappear in the shape of rough excrescences/knobs on the tree.
Other Uses:
A great wood for spears, bows, axes, wagons, carts, ladders, carriages, walking sticks, hoops, crates, and cars (being second to oak as a building material). Creates a hot flame when burned so is good for metalsmithery. Used in tanning nets, for making baskets, and to dye wool yellow (bark and leaves).

Birch:

Folk Names:
Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, Lady of the Woods, Birth
Description:
Its shiny white bark leads one onward, offering guidance and orientation in the darkness of the journey. "Birch" is derived from the meaning "Bright" or "Shining" in Indo-European and Sanskrit terminology. Quite possibly it came from the anglosaxon term "Beorgan" meaning "to protect or shelter". Birch is an elegant tree with a slender trunk, light branches, and smooth thin bark. It lives to about age 50 and is divided by black and white birches by color of bark. Tiny flowers with no petals are born on male and female catkins. Leaves are alternate, ovate, and serated with slightly hairy undersides. It produces tiny winged nuts on female catkins, and grows to a height of 40-90 feet.
Lore
Birch is considered feminine and is associated with the planet Venus, the element water, the God Thor, and imbued with the powers of protection, exorcism, and purification. She represents the symbol of the Bardic school or grade. The tree is first planted on virgin soil where one wants to create a wood or forest -"the tree that helps birth the forest" which leads to it being given the name "Pioneer tree" or "Tree of Birth", and is why it often symbolizes the first level of Druid working. (Carr-Gomm) The whiteness of the bark indicates cleanliness and determination in overcoming difficulties. It represents new starts, new journeys, and clear direction. If drawn by card, rune, or stave, it symbolizes new beginnings or the start of a new endeavor or thing in ones' life. It demonstrates the purification of the self. Roman lectors carried Birch rods. It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch). The "Lieschi" or "Genii of the Forest" are said to dwell in their tree tops.
Magical Aspects:
By binding together birch twigs and gently striking possessed people and animals with it, the haunting spirits can be exorcised. Russian folk would hang a stem of it tied with a red ribbon to rid themselves of the evil eye. Many farmers would plant birch around their houses to protect against lightning. Modern Druids burn it to cleanse and purify themselves during ceremonies. In Scandinavia, switches of birch are used on the bodies to stimulate the process of purification in the sauna, and in Britain a birch rod was used rather ferociously to purify criminals of their sins and misdeeds, and on lunatics to expel the evil spirits from within. To get rid of the spirits of the old year, one would "beat the bounds" with a broom made of birch. Birch also represents the first moon - the moon of inception, and in rituals of deciding which spiritual seeds one should plant in the year.

Magical workings in this moon will add strength and momentum to these rites. To communicate well with the Goddess, meditate in a birch grove. For magical parchment, gather her bark only by a tree chosen by one that has been struck by lightning (chosen by Thor). Used for Earth Mother magic. Birch is used to make sets of runes for divination by gathering the wood during the waxing of the moon.

Medicinal Usage:
Birch contains Methyl Salicylate which possesses counterirritant and analgesic properties. (Rodale, p.45) Used as a folk cure for rheumatism (infusion from leaves and bark), skin irritations/wounds (poultice from leaves, bark, catkins), skin tonic (bath infusion), skin lotion (oil from bark), and toothbrushing (chewing on twigs). (Rodale, p.45) Its tea is used to heal mouth sores, to break up kidney/bladder stones, its bark (oil) as an astringent/aid for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, non-hereditary baldness, and skin eruptions (with infusions of twigs, leaves, bark). Black birch is used to heal urinary problems and expel worms, diarrhea, mouth sores, rheumatism and bowel troubles. The young shoots and leaves are used as a tonic laxative and the inner bark for fevers. The fresh summer sap helps expel excess fluid and treat oedema, and the birch buds are used for colds, rheumatic conditions, stomach ulcers/pains, liver/gall problems, and kidney/bladder stones. Birch charcoal is ingested to relieve ingested poisons or indigestion bloating
Other Uses:
Witches (probably all seven kinds) would make their traditional brooms out of Birch. Cradles also were made from this wood to protect the infant they hold. May poles and Beltane fires in Britain utilized this wood. (Carr-Gomm) Canoes were made from the bark. Birch beer is brewed from the branches and modern medicine derived from the leaves. Household knick-knacks, furniture, spoons, tool handles, brooms, bobbins, and barrel staves were fashioned from the wood. Twigs were used for thatching and wattles in traditional European houses, and its charcoal in gun powder. Birch is also used to make leather durable (oil), for natural insect repellent (oil), and as a wool dye (bark - light brown, root -red brown), and to dry the soil of soggy gardens (by planting a stand of birches).

Dragon's Blood Palm:

Folk Names:

Dragon's Blood, Daemonorops draco, Dracaena spp, Blood, Blume, Calamus Draco, Draconis Resina, Sanguis Draconis, Dragon's Blood Palm.
Description:
Dragon's Blood is a palm Tree.
Lore
Dragon's blood is a masculine plant and is associated with the planet Mars and the Element of Fire. It's powers are known for love, protection, exorcism, and potency.Lore/Folk Magic Beliefs come from Scott Cummingham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.
Magical Aspects:
According to Cummingham, the resin from this palm tree is burned to entice eerrant lovers to return which is usually doen by women seated near an open window, looking outside, at night. A Stick of it placed under the pillow or mattress will cure impotency. It's resin is a powerful protectorant that when carried, smouldered as incense, or sprinkled around the house will drive away evil and negativity. A pinch of it added to other incenses will increase their potency and power. According to Cummingham, in order to quiet a noisy house, use the powder mixed with sugar and salt and place in a bottle to be hidden somewhere in the house where it can't be found. The result will be peace and quiet within the house.

Hazel:

Folk Names:
can anyone help with this??
Lore
Celtic Tree of Knowledge. In Celtic tradition, the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon becomes a spot on its skin

Mistletoe:

Folk Names:
All heal, Birdlime, Devil's Fuge, Donnerbesen, Golden Bough, Holy wood, Ligname sactae crucis, Misseltoe, Mistle, Thuderbesem, Witches' Broom, Wood of the Cross.
Description:
Both mistles are semi-parasitic, freely branched, clumping, tree-born shrubs that inhabit a wide range of trees. They possess evergreen, opposite, oblong to obovate, thick, leathery leaves. They have inconspicuous, unisexual flowers in short spikes from the leaf axils, male and female on separate plants which ripen into small white berries with sticky flesh and one seed. Not commonly found on oaks, but favors the Apple and fruit trees. The mystic plant of the air, whose roots were up there and not in earth. Whose sperm was carried from tree to tree by birds (berry itself that seems to contain the sperm).
Lore
Considered masculine and is associated with the sun, the element of air, and the Gods Apollo, Freya, Frigga, Venus, and Odin. The French claim that it was once a tree, but when it was used to make Christs' cross, it was cursed thereafter, denied a place on earth, and so became a parasite to live. Balder the God of Peace was slewn with an arrow made of mistletoe which deeply saddened the rest of the Gods. So out of sorrow they restored his life. When he returned the plant was given to the Goddess of Love who dedicated the plant to the love felt for Balder. She decreed that anyone passing beneath it must receive a kiss to show tribute to the "symbol of love." Mistle is imbued with the powers of protection, love, hunting, fertility, health, and exorcism. (Cummingham, p. 154) Many Druids believe whatever grows on oaks must be sent from the heavens as a choice that that particular tree was chosen by Deity. The union of the mistle with the oak is deeply symbolic of sexual union, as is its harvesting rite. Symbolically related to the male sperm due to the color and consistency of the berry juice. Being airborne and not having touched the ground, it is seen as a seed - in - potency, in potential awaiting the moment of conception when it is gathered up by the egg (the Druid) with a gold crescent sickle (gold representing the sun, crescent the moon, and sickle representing them conjoined and united). Its pollen was found in the botanical analysis of the remains of Lindow Man's (The Druid Prince) last sacrificial meal.
Magical Aspects:
The story known to us by Pliny in his Natural History, XVI, 249 tells the tale that its that time of year again, during Midsummer's Eve or when the moon is six days old, that news is spread of the New Year. The white robed Druids go forth seeking the mistle at night and once located with gather around the appropriated tree (preferably an Oak). The wise elder will climb the tree with gold sickle in hand, cuts the mistle down in a sacred way with a sacred prayer, while the Druids down below chant an equivalent of "Hey derry down, down, down, derry", and a white cloth catches it as it falls so as not to let it touch the ground and lose its potency. Two white bulls whose horns are bound are then sacrificed beneath the tree so that the mistle will be prosperous to those collecting it. The conjunction with the sickle, creates a union between Druid and Mistle, Moon and Sun, Earth and Sky, causing a spark to be drawn down into the body, into life on earth, as it is brought down the tree. This represents the Day of liberation - the celebration of that extra day of the year - on a day that is not a day, a time that is not a time, in a place that is not a place.

Mistletoe is used for protecting one from lightning, diseases, misfortunes, fires, by being carried or placed in the appropriate spots. If placed in a cradle it will protect the child from being stolen by fairies and replaced with changelings. A ring carved of its wood will ward off sickness when worn and the plant will cure fresh wounds quickly if carried. Carried or worn for good luck in hunting, mistle is also used by women to aid in conception. It is used in spells to capture that elusive state of immortality and to open locks. If laid in the bedroom beneath the pillow, hung on the bedpost, or by the door, it provides restful sleep and beautiful dreams. Burned it banishes evil, and if worn around the neck allows its wearer to attain invisibility.

During December the stems carry flower buds which take on a golden tint and the moon forces are the strongest in the closed flowers. Mistle gathered during Winter Solstice is best for fertility. During the Summer Solstice, the power of the sap is at its max with a rose pink quality and is best for protection.

Medicinal Usage:
Druids called it "All-Heal" (Ull-ice), a "gift of the Gods, both a cure and a poison." By 1682, French herbalists prescribed it for epilepsy, nervouse disorders, St. Vitus' Dance, and in other countries was used for apoplexy, giddiness, to stimulate glandular activities, as a heart tonic, and digestive aid. It is believed that the active ingredient is the resin "viscin" which temporarily benumbs nerve impulses that would otherwise travel from a painful area/organ to the brain. It raises the blood pressure, then lowers it, and then speeds up the pulse. By these means it can interfere with epileptic spasms. (European Variety)

American Mistle contains amines tyramine and betaphenylethylamine that stimulates the heart and central nervous system, raises the blood pressure, causes contractions in smooth muscles (like uterine), and aids in childbirth. However both contain toxic proteins and have only recently been tested on animals since its toxicity is too high for human experimentation. Work has been done with cancer cells in laboratory cultures with V. album and has shown miraculous benefits to stopping cancer and therefore someday validating the ancient Druid cure for cancer. Mistletoe under FDA regulations cannot be used on humans because it slows the heartrate dangerously, causes hallucinations, convulsions, increased blood pressure, heart attacks, cardiovascular collapse, and death.  Administered as a potion it can impact fecundity to any barren animal and is a remedy against all kinds of poison

Oak:

Folk Names
Duir, Jove's Nuts, Juglans, Father, Protector, The Druid.
Description:
The Oak is a very slow growing tree(about a foot a year). Oaks are often very tall trees that can obtain heights up to ninety feet. Oaks produce purplish red leaves during the fall. Its leaves vary from species to species, ranging from five to nine lobes (white); six to fourteen lobes (English); seven to eleven lobes (Northern Red); or seven to nine lobes (Black). Most oaks share a recognizable image of arboreal open branches attached to a sturdy trunk and produces a variety of different shaped acorns.
Lore
The Oak takes on a masculine image and is associated with the sun, the element of fire (being the strongest attractor of lightning), and is attributed to the Gods Dagda, Dianus, Jupiter, Thor, Zeus, Herne, Janus, Rhea, Cybele, Hecate, Pan, and Erato. He is imbued with the powers of protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck, and great wisdom. (Cunningham) Oak represents doorways to the other realm

If this card, rune, stave is chosen, it means one will be secure and strong in their pursuits and that the doorway to inner spirituality will be opened to them with chastity, protection, and determination. It represents primeval strength and the ability to overcome and survive (Murray). Oak represents the Druid's final stage of initiation, or the Class of Druid. He is considered King of the forest both venerable in age and form. Because it often gets struck with lightning, it displays the ability to attract the energy, inspiration, and illumination of the Sky father or thunder God Taran. (Carr-Gomm) Oak symbolizes the ability to receive sudden illumination from above, strength, solidarity, continuity of tradition, and endurance. Druids often taught under oaks.

"Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. One of the oldest modes of divination was that of interpreting the voice of the supreme deity in its rustling. Oak is associated with Allah, Balder, Cybele, Dagda, Dianus, Erato, Hecate, Heracles, Herne, Janus, Jehovah, Jupiter, Melkarth, Pan Perkunas, Rhea, Thor, and Zeus. The oak may be associated with Gods of thunder and lightening because of its habit of being hit by lightening during storms." ( Christopher Windsmile ).

Magical Aspects:
The grandest of meeting places for the Druids is within an Oak Grove for conducting rites for magical protection, power collecting, power focusing, and stability spells. Two twigs bound with red thread and fashioned into a solar cross will safeguard one from evil. Acorns placed in windows guard the house from lightning and harm. If one catches a falling leaf they will be free from colds all winter. Oak fires will draw off illnesses. Carrying acorns will prevent illness, pains, increase immortality/ longevity, fertility, strengthen sexual potency, and preserve youthfulness. Planting an acorn in the dark will ensure money in the near future.(Cunningham) Oak branches are often burned in midsummer fires and for making wands and staves. Oak represents the seventh moon - the moon of strength and is good for sacrificial rites.
Medicinal Usage:
Oak is used as an astringent tonic, enema for hemorrhoids, douche for vaginitis, will benefit bloody urine, stop internal hemorrhages, reduce fevers, soothe sore throats, shrink vericose veins, wash sore eyes, help skin irritations, stop dandruff (by using as a hair rinse), diarrhea (use the bark), sinus congestion, post nasal drip, and lung congestion. Acorns can be used to treat alcoholism, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea, splenic dropsy, fistula, dizziness, gout, intermittent fever, leukemia, and splenic conditions. Its flower essence will prevent despondency and despair.
Other Uses:
Oak is the finest building material that can be found and provides the essence of strength and stability for anything constructed of its wood. Oak wood is also unsurpassed as a heating fuel. Oak is great for tanning (dye made from the bark), dying cloth, and fodder from the acorns for pigs. Acorns also make wonderful breads, foodstuffs, and staples.

Rowan:

Folk Names:
Round wood, Delight of the Eye, Mountain Ash, Quickbane, Ran Tree, Roden-Quicken, Roden-Quicken-Royan, Royne tree, Sorb apple, Thor's helper, Whitty, Wicken-tree, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wiky, Wild Ash, Witchbane, Witchen, Witch wood.
Description:
The name is linked with the Norse "Runall" meaning "a charm", and the Sanskrit "Runall" meaning "magician". Rowan is a small tree with a spreading crown of many stems (it can often be considered a shrub), showy white flowers, and bright red berries. It grows to about 30 feet maximum, has pinnately compound leaves that become hairless as they get older, yellow-green above, and paler beneath, turning yellow (American) and reddish (European) in Autumn. Light grey smooth/scaly bark (American) and Dark grey smooth aromatic bark with horizontal lines (European). Contrary to the folk or given names of the Rowan tree as being an "Ash", it does not belong to the Ash family, nor is an Ash tree. It was given this name in some parts due to the similarity of the leaves of the two trees. The Rowan tree is actually more related to the Rose and Hawthorn, than any other given tree. The American Rowan can be found in moist valleys, and/or coniferous forests, and ranges in occurence from Newfoundland to Western Ontario and from Illinois to Georgia. The European Ash was introduced to America during colonial times from Eurasia and Europe. This Ash can be found along roadsides and thickets ranging from Southeastern Alaska to Southern Canada, Newfoundland to Maine and Minnesota to California.
Lore
Rowan is seen as masculine, attributed to the planet(s) Uranus or the sun, the element fire, and the Gods Thor and Rauni. It is associated with the colors of red and gray. It is also a plant/tree held dear by Druids and the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Mountain Ash possesses the power of the psychic, healing, power, success, and protection. (Cunningham, p.190) The berry carries a pentagram shape which is the symbol of protection and in many folk circles, serves as a aid against magic. The berry itself is known to be poisonous. The pentagram shape is one of the reason's why it has been called the Witch Tree.

Choosing this rune, card, or stave, helps one retain control of all their senses, so one can distinguish bad from good, harm from help, using spiritual strength to turn away anything that threatens ones serenity and purpose.

Magical Aspects:
If carried, Rowan wood will increase one's psychic powers. Branches of Mountain Ash often were used in dowsing rods and magical wands. Leaves and berries are added to divination incense for better scrying. Rowan berries and bark are often added to healing and health baths, sachets, and mixtures, but also in power, success, and luck sachets. Carrying the berries/bark aids in recuperation. If two twigs are tied together with red thread as a cross, one would possess a protection amulet. Spays and Crosses made from this wood were hung over cattle yards and pens, homes, and dwellings for protection .

Walking sticks or magician staves are made of this wood for safe night journeys. Rowan is carried on ships to prevent the ships' involvement in storms, and kept in houses to guard against lightning, and if planted on graves will keep the deceased from haunting. If grown near stone circles it can aid in magical potency. (Cunningham, p. 190-191) It is also used to protect one from witches or as wood to fuel the fires to burn witches. A rowan that grows out of another rowan (known as "flying rowan") is specially potent against witches and their magic, and as a counter-charm against sorcery. Rowan protects against enchantment and is used to make rune staves ,for metal divining, and to protect cattle from harm (attaching sprigs to their sheds).

Rowan is also used during rites of the 2nd moon - the moon of vision for rites of knowledge and divination ( This is based on the Celtic calendar of the 13 moons and represents the Moon of astral travel and vision, healing and empowerment.) If the branches are gathered at Beltane (May Day) they can be tied with red yarn hung above openings to protect your dwelling. The Scots would plant rowan near their houses to protect from lightning and evil. The berries and leaves are dried and burned to invoke/banish spirits, fairies, familiars, elements, and the Earth Mother. Rowan wood was burned by druids of opposing armies to summon spirits-to take part of battle. The Silver Branch that is often carried in Druid rites and ceremonies, is usually made of Rowan, to celebrate and honor the Goddess.

Medicinal Uses:
The fresh berry juice can be used as a laxative, gargle for sore throats, inflamed tonsils, hoarseness, and to give vitamins A and C to the body. Rowan berry jam will remedy diarrhea and an infusion of the berries to benefit hemorrhoids and strangury. The bark is also used as an astringent for loose bowels and vaginal irritations. Rowan is also used for eye irritations, spasmic pains in the uterus, heart/bladder problems, neuralgia, gout, and waist constrictions.
Other Uses:
Rowan is a great ornamental for most homes and is great for attracting birds (ie the name "bird catcher"). The wood is good for fence posts, ships, and walking sticks. Rowan bark will dye fabric grey. It can substitute coffee beans (berries), can flavor liqueurs/cordials, and can be used to make ale.

Wilow:

Folk Names
Tree of Enchantment, Osier, and Sough Tree
Description:
There are at least 500 willow species, from tall trees to arctic plants barely two inches tall. Several species are used medicinally. Their flowers are tiny, petal-less, in dense cylindrical catkins. Their leaves are alternate, undivided, narrow, and lanceolate. They produce small capsules with downy seeds. The tallest willow is Salix alba at 75 feet maximum height.
Lore
The Willow is associated with the elements of water, the moon, and the gods Artemis, Ceres, Hecate, Persephone, Hera, Mercury, Belili, Circe, and Belenos. Willow is associated with death, femininity, love, and healing. It posesses the powers of love, divination, friendship, joy, love, peace, protection, and healing.
Magical Aspects:
For love magic, protection magic, healing magic, and peaceful magic. Used to create loyalty, make friendship pacts, treaties, or alliances. Used for intuition, knowledge, gentle nurturing, and will elucidate the feminine qualities of both men and women. Its leaves are used in love attraction sachets and moon magic wands from its wood. Used to dowse for water (underground), earth energies, and buried objects. Used combined with sandalwood to invoke spirits. Placed in homes, it protects against evil and malign sorcery. Carried, the wood will give bravery, dexterity, and help one overcome the fear of death. If one needs to get something off their chest or to share a secret, confess to a willow and your secret will be trapped. Willow wood is good for magical harps. Good for planting and lining burial graves for its symbolism of death and protection. If one wants to know if they will be married, on New Year's Eve, throw your shoe or boot into a willow, if it doesn't catch in the branches the first time, the individuals has eight more tries, if they succeed, they will wed.
Medicinal Usage:
Dioscorides (1st c. A.D.) discovered its use against pain and inflammation. The Hottentots discovered its use for rheumatic fever. One of its active principles is salicin. Isolated from the willow in the 1890's, Europeans fiddled with salicin and an Italian produced salicylic acid, synthesized by a German into acetylsalicylic acid, shelved and forgotten, until Felix Hoffman of Bayer and Co., and labelled it "Aspirin." (Rodale, p.504) Willow bark is used to treat rheumatic conditions, gout, heartburn, to stop internal bleeding, gargle for sore throats, skin problems, wounds, and burns. The purple willow is most effective for lowering fevers. Black willow bark can be made into an infusion as a sexual sedative and to treat gonorrhoea, relieve ovarian pain, and to curb nocturnal emissions or as a tincture for hysteria, hysteria based on genital organs, nymphomania, spermatorrhoea, satyriasis, erotomania, and lascivious dreams. Sallow or Goat willow eases indigestion, whooping cough, catarrh, and to disinfect bandages. It is a good eyewash, and if taken orally will clear the skin and face of blemishes, or applied to hair for dandruff. Its flower essences will remedy bitterness and resentment.
Other Uses:
Willow trees are great ornamentals, shade trees, and resilient wood for tool handles, fencing, and poles. Tender shoots are good for baskets. Willow rods were used as thatching in European traditional homes. Willow protects riverbanks from erosion (Peachleaf Willow), drys the soil in soggy/flooded gardens, and its charcoal (Crack Willow) is used in gunpowder. Black Willow is good for furniture, millwork, cabinets, doors, barrels, boxes, toys, baseball bats, and pulp

Yew:

Description:
The yew is a fine example of a tree to which great age is often attributed without much in the way of hard evidence. The oldest known yews have invariably lost most of their heartwood to decay and in any event tend to be isolated individuals, usually growing in places that have been regarded as sacred since before the Christian era. Consequently, tree ring-based age estimation is usually impractical or impossible. A few researchers have tried to estimate ages by extrapolation from observed growth rates, a very dubious proposition in view of the fact that when tree ring data are available they usually show extrapolated age estimates to be gross exaggerations. Nonetheless, it seems very likely that many of the largest yews ecountered around the Christian shrines of the British Isles were in fact planted during the pre-Christian era by Celtic groups who saw the yew as sacred. It is therefore plausible that yews aged 2000 years or more occur in the British Isles. An age of 4000 years has been attributed, without much basis, to the Tisbury Yew in Wiltshire and the Crowhurst Yew in Surrey, both in England.
Lore
The Yew is a tree with ancient significance. Since ancient times it has been viewed as a protector and guardian of the dead. It is a common feature in European graveyards as a guardian against evil and negative forces, and it was believed by some that cutting down a Yew would result in misfortune and dire consequences. The location of churches has often been associated with pagan sites of worship and perhpas this is one reason why so many are found together. The tree is also a symbol of immortality, with the tree being able to live to considerable age, and this could also be a reason for the proximity of church and tree. There are at least twenty trees in British church yards which are more than 2000 years old. The Yew is the designated tree of the Fraser clan, and highlanders believed it brought them good luck and kept evil spirits at bay. It is sacred to the Goddess, Aine. Almost every old churchyard in Ireland has a Yew tree. Even in pre-Christian Ireland the Yew was associated with religious sites. An article by David Bellamy in the Times suggested that every English parish, village and town should plant a yew tree for the millenium, preferably in a churchyard, as a living symbol of sustainable growth, creative evolution, and renewed faith in God's role in Creation. The Yew is often treated as an image of enduring ecology, and trees planted for the millenium stand a good chance of being alive in 2,000 years. The online Encarta has a fairly good short article on the Yew - have a look at the sites below.
Medicinal Usage:
Taxol and Taxotere are potent anti cancer drugs extracted from the bark of the Pacific Yew and needles of the English Yew. Extract of Yew is used in the treatment of illnesses such as CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrom), Lupus, Candida, and Cancer. The extract has an anti-viral action makes it effective against a wide variety of viruses - the Yew tree is also very poisonous to livestock. A salve made of Yew essence is effective in the treatment of things such as burns, Psoriasis, Eczema, Skin Cancer, and insect bites.