Celtic Tree Walk

On a frosty Friday morning, I met Lisa from https://www.hinokiforestbathing.co.uk/ with a group of her clients @heartworkcoffee in Holmbury St Mary, Surrey. After a warm coffee and brief introduction, we set off on a walk to learn about the science, cultural heritage and art associated with trees of our local woodlands.

I explained about the Celts affinity to trees, which they adopted as part of their Ogham Alphabet and as a basis for their calendar. We celebrated BETH (Birch) as the first tree in that calendar and the first to appear in a new woodland and British Isles after the Ice Age.

I shared my understanding about the biology of trees, how they live as organisms, interact with other trees and fungi and form a thriving community that we often see as merely a group of trees. I explained how Holly (TINNE), like many deciduous trees provided vital nourishment to livestock and that their leaves become less spiky higher up the tree where they cannot be predated on.

We discussed why Yew (IDHO) stands alone in churchyards and how these ancient trees grew at those locations long before Christianity arrived on our shores. For the pagan Celts Yew served as a sacred place and this is why the Romans chose such sites to adapt into Christian places of worship.

We finished our journey through the woodland and its community of trees at a majestic Beech known as PHAGOS or the Tree of Learning. We can be seen in this photo gathered in a once open area of heath before the plantation of conifers was created. Standing under this ancient trees was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of trees to a woodland, our planet and ourselves.