Trees: Foraging, Navigation and Legends

Why should we be focussing on plants to understand the wider landscape and how can the folklore and mythology help guide us through our learning?

We need to start with he important safety stuff before going any further. The SSCC code gives us the framework for all our foraging as we move forward…

Trees can offer a valuable insight in to the wider landscape. They can tell us about soil composition, wind exposure, wildlife presence and so much more.

We can use mythology and folklore as a handrail to help navigate us through the complicated names and jargon of plant identification. Mythology is not always true, but it is always interesting!

In this final introductory lesson we’ll look at how to identify trees, what features to look at closely and some of the subtle differences between species which could be the difference between life and death!

Oak trees are some of the most influential plants in the forest and have a multitude of stories and mythology associated with them. Understanding how to recognise them is key however, especially when their recognisable leaves have fallen in winter.

It’s no wonder that a tree which can live for almost 1,000 years has had such a huge amount of myth and legend attributed to it but the real question is, is there any truth in it?

We’ve been using oak as a food source for generations and once you remove the tannins, the acorns can be used as a coffee or flour!

Because oak trees live for so long, they can display a lot of navigational clues especially those that are solitary in fields or open land.

The queen of the forest can sometimes be a little tricky to spot but with a few key ID features, you’ll be able to see a beech forest a mile away.

While not the tastiest woodland plant, there are parts of the beech tree which are edible and tasty at key points in the trees life cycle.

Beech trees have a rich collection of mythology but also some fascinating recent scientific studies as well which compliment the lore nicely.

There are some really interesting studies and research into the properties of beech trees and some of its traits can be beneficial when it comes to navigation and bushcraft.

One of the world’s most widespread tree species, Scots Pine can be found on almost every continent in the world. Recognising it is pretty easy although it has some cousins which it can be confused with.

Built to withstand the conditions, Scots pines are hardy and resilient. It’s no wonder they’re at home in Scotland!

As well as being a tree we can consume, the Scots pine is also a useful plant to know for its bushcraft properties.

These tall trees catch the wind and that’s what makes them especially useful for the natural navigator.

A common tree, silver birch can be easy to find but the fact that it can look so different at its different life stages can make it a trickier tree to ID.

As a pioneer species birch has a strong connection with renewal and protection.

There are plenty of uses for bushcraft and many of them have been used for generations.

Silver Birch can be used as a good indicator or woodland age but it can also tell us lots about the landscape and ecology of a region as well.

Rowans can be easily mistaken with a few other trees, especially in winter months. Recognising leaves, bark, buds and berries all help with correct identification.

This is a saviour tree and a lucky tree. It’s mythology is deep and there are plenty of local stories associated with it as well.

Rowan has edible berries - that’s no surprise. But these can be tart and bitter unless prepared correctly.

Like all the trees we’ve looked at, rowan can offer a new perspective on the landscapes we walk through.

Elder is a common hedgerow tree but individuals can differ greatly. Look out for the bark and leaves or the bright white flowers for a seasonal clue.

A tree which is mean t to bring good luck and stave away bad spirits. In short, a good tree to have around!

Carving or foraging are easy with elder and it’s even one of the plants we can use to make wine from!

Another variable tree which we can use to tell us a little more about the landscapes we’re walking through.

Hazels grow new rivers or in damp ground. They have some easy features to recognise like nuts, straight branches and large leaves.

There are some lovely stories about hazels in European myth, many of them help me to remember some of the ID features of the tree itself.

Hazel is a great plant to recognise for its wood and for its fruit. It can be a valuable food source for the forager.

Because we know where we can expect to see hazels, we can already read the landscape but we can also look about hazel trees and identify some key species which might be feeding on the nuts too.

Cherry trees are common and beautiful. They grow in quite specific environments but, regardless of subspecies, they all have some unifying traits.

In Japanese culture there is a strong historical connection with the fleeting nature of cherry blossom and these beautiful flowers have inspired many stories around the world.

Aside from the obvious, cherry trees have always been prized for their rich wood and have been used for all sorts of crafts.

Cherry trees grow in quite specific locations. They can tell us all sorts about the soil composition, light availability and wildlife presence in an area.

This giant of a tree is found right across the UK but it can be easily confused with a number of other trees. ID is important here because it’s cousin, the horse chestnut, is inedible.

An introduced species but still one with a deep history of folklore and mythology to help you remember some of the more nuanced facts and uses.

Some nice easy recipes and uses for this behemoth of a tree.

Because sweet chestnut is massive, long lived and common around the UK, it can offer a valuable longterm insight into the health of a woodland and the species that are found there. It can also tell us loads about direction, location and conditions.

A large coniferous tree which is usually found in churchyards and religious sites. Its needles and berries can offer a good clear ID feature.

There is arguably no other tree in Europe so closely connected to life and death than the yew… Why is that?

We aren’t going to look at foraging uses for the yew but there are some historical practical uses for the tree - particularly in archery!

Yew trees can tell us loads about the human history of an area as well as consolidating lots of the features we have already seen in other trees

Well done if you’ve got this far, I hope you enjoyed the course. Here’s a brief summary of what we’ve covered and some links to further learning.

All the images used in this course can be found here