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--- identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-19 15:40] – [* Hazelnut, hazelnoot, noisetier, corylus] rasa
+++ identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-19 17:24] – [* Silver birch, zilverberk, le bouleau verruqueux, betula pendula] rasa
@@ Line 295: / Line 295: @@
 Please meet the witch of the forest.
 Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination.
 In August this Hazel forms a roof of branches and leafs in collaboration with its collaegue hazels. They form a network for the red squirrels, who jump as acrobats from one branch to another. Often they can be heard above, where they cut off the hazelnuts with their sharp teeth, and parts of the nutshells happen to whirl down on you.
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-roots in water
+// While listening to the Alder, think of all the things humans construct with wood under water //
+The Alder Tree (Old Irish “Fern,” genus Alnus) is a somber deciduous tree with dark bark, which is most comfortable along waterways and streams. It is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and survive when grown in infertile soils. Alder roots enrich the soil, and its timber resists decay.
+When immersed in water it hardens to the toughness of stone.
+When cut, alder wood turns from white to red and felling of a sacred alder was considered taboo. Dyes were made from its bark, twigs and flowers.
+Alder bark treated inflammations, rheumatism, and diarrhea. Bags filled with heated alder leaves helped with chronic skin diseases and burns. A gargle made from leaves and bark cured mouth ulcers and soothed tonsillitis. Alder oil and essence resonate with the Muscular System and can relieve stiffness and damp diseases, enabling us to move forward with flexibility and comfort.
+Alder was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of "whistling up the wind" began with this custom.
+“The Alder is a tree that supports and protects physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Its associations with both weapons and shields reminded the ancient Celts that part of the skill of the warrior lies in knowing when to take up the sword and when to take up the shield. Although an alder shield will protect you and give you courage and an alder-forged weapon will help you defend yourself, ultimately the most important aspect of the warrior is his or her intent. This is the key to success or failure. They alder reminds us of the need to blend strength and courage with generosity of spirit and compassion. There is a time to challenge things and a time to hold our peace. The alder teaches us this discrimination and the need to see beneath the surface of things. It combines the desire for self-preservation with the desire to serve and emphasizes the need for a firm foundation to stand on.” from The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford
+// When you walk on, think of what trees are missing here in the forest //
-// think of different ways of reproduction //
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-Duties: from cradle to cradle: everything can be used, sap is used for wine, honey, sugar and can be drank in spring as a long-life-elixir; the skin was used for writing (2000y ago in teaching of Buddha; the name would be originally from sanskrit 'burgha' which means 'writing on a tree' or from Ghotic 'bairths' which means light), skin can also be used to light a fire in a wet place, or for shoes, coats, canoes; wood is used for furniture; leaves and buttons are used for soap, oil, paint
+// Observe, touch and peel some of its skin, it is harmless and it allows you to start a fire when there is no dry paper available //
-character: Lady of the Woods, symbol of light, new spring, elegance & grace
+The birch is said to be the Lady of the Woods, the tree of the future. It is a pioneer tree that does not demand for high maintenance, but can grow on unfertile and bare soils, just like the larch (see below).
+It symbolizes the idea 'from cradle to cradle': everything of the birch can be used. Its sap is a natural shampoo, and can be a remedy for dysentery and urinary infections. It is also used for wine, honey, sugar and can be drank in spring as a long-life-elixir.
+The skin can be used to light a fire in a wet place, or for shoes, coats, canoes; its wood is used for furniture; leaves and buttons are used for soap, oil, paint. The oil from Birch bark is used for treating skin conditions, and insect repellent.
+About 2000 years ago the birch was mentioned in teachings of Buddha; the name 'Birch' would be originally from the Sanskrit word 'burgha' which means 'writing on a tree' and thus it is said that its skin was also used for writing.
+The name would also find its origins in the Ghotic 'bairths', which means light. For Germans and Celts the birch was a holy tree. As the birch is one of the earliest to gain its spring leaves, it is the tree of youth and the new year and its birch rods were used to drive out the spirit of the old year. Birch is symbol of light, new spring, elegance and grace.
+Criminals and psychic patients would be beaten with birch rods to chase bad spirits.
+In Wales, the birch is a tree of love and wreaths of birch are woven as love tokens, its trunk used for the maypole. Like many trees with protective properties, birch boughs over cradles and carriages protect infants against the glamour of the Little People.
-// what trees are missing? //
+// When you walk on, think of the different ways trees reproduce //