Leaf Lore (4): OAK (Quercus robur)

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Leaf Lore (4): OAK (Quercus robur)

Continuing our journey through the folklore and superstitions surrounding our trees, this month we turn our attention to the OAK. A tree of great stature, the oak is easily identifiable by the pattern of irregular squares that form within its bark as its girth expands.

Much is written about this mighty tree. One tale tells that the oak, being imbued with the qualities of courage and strength, would pass these qualities on to any person who carried a piece of its wood upon their person. However, this simple act also ensured that the unwitting mortal would never be struck by lightning.

Our forefathers considered the oak to be one of the few sentient trees. This being so, it was considered prudent to inform the oak when it was to be felled and to promise the tree that an acorn would be planted in its stead.

However, the acorns were often considered as magical as the oak tree itself. Those who wished to defy the ageing process would carry an acorn in their pocket whilst the act of placing an acorn in the pocket of a bridegroom ensured that the happy man led a long life ……and enjoyed unflagging energy!

But for those who had not yet reached the state of matrimony, it was believed that acorns could foretell the outcome of a relationship. Two acorns were picked and named - one for the querant and one for their lover. Both acorns were then dropped into a bowl of water and the manner in which they floated was observed: if they floated together marriage would ensue but if they floated apart the Folklore also believed the oak to be a reliable indication of the weather for the coming year. If the oak leafed before the ash then the weather would be fine but if the ash leafed before the oak then heavy rain would fall.

But it was not just our more recent ancestors who valued the oak. Druids revered oak trees, using groves of oak in which to perform their sacred rituals. And, so esteemed was the oak within their society, that Druids of high stature were often buried in the hollowed out trunk of an oak tree.

But for those of us concerned with more trivial matters it is worth recalling the old belief that the dew gathered from an oak on a May morning makes an excellent beauty lotion!

Next monh we look at the folklore and superstitions surrounding the Hazel.

©Ruth Ainley