Firstly, apologies for not having posted the final cream recipe yet, I ran out of time before Christmas and have been having a little holiday from the computer so it will be with you in the New Year instead.
However as 2011 draws to a close, I would like to take a few moments to look back over the Hawthorn trees which I have been observing throughout the year as part of The Tree Year project. Inspired by the UN’s announcement that 2011 would be the International Year of Forests it encouraged people to pick a tree to observe closely for one year and record some of their findings in whatever way seemed appropriate to them.
I followed these trees which sit atop the Sussex Downs from Winter to Summer and back again, observing not only their individual transformations, but the way they have been shaped by their landscape and by the myriad influences of humans and nature.
For many years I have appreciated the Hawthorn as a fantastic source of medicine and food, not just for humans but for wildlife as well. This project gave me the opportunity to learn more about some of its other facets however and the more I learnt, the more I appreciated its story as that of a true survivor. It thrives in many environments, from cities and gardens to woodland edges, hedgerows and open grassland and it flourishes where other trees could not. The Downs themselves would once have been covered in woodland in all but the most exposed sites but centuries of animal grazing have ensured the trees have not returned. Only the hardiest survive atop these windswept and rain blasted escarpments with their shallow, chalky soil. And they are mainly gorse and hawthorn.
Here in the UK, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw the privatisation of huge amounts of open fields and common land and the removal of access rights of local people through the Enclosure Acts. This saw the planting of miles of Hawthorn hedging throughout the country as hawthorn grows quickly and densely and has sharp thorns – the perfect way to keep people out. This rapid growth gave rise to one of Hawthorn’s old common names, Quickthorn. I often think that perhaps one of the only good things to come out of such a travesty was the Hawthorn hedges which are now such a distinctive and cherished part of our countryside and support such a wide variety of wildlife.
The hawthorn is home to up to 300 different insects and provides food and shelter for many birds. Blackbirds, greenfinches, yellowhammers, robins and wrens all make use of it along with migrant birds like redwings and fieldfares. They spread seed through their droppings making this a mutually beneficial arrangement. Small mammals like voles and wood mice also eat the fallen berries and seek shelter amongst the dense growth of hawthorn branches.
Whilst I love the hedges, Hawthorns are by far the most beautiful when allowed to grow into their full splendour as small trees. They will grow well in most soil types, though they need some sun, as their root system is not too extensive and doesn’t require large amounts of nutrients. They are often seen standing alone on hilltops, each one a unique individual having been shaped by natural forces. In folk mythology it was thought that these lone Hawthorns were inhabited by faeries and Hawthorn is still considered one of the faery trees to this day.
It is used as a rootstock for grafting pears and medlars and the wood was apparently one of those preferred by the Druids for making runes. A fascinating fact (which I am sure you will all find very useful) is that some myths claim hawthorn wood to be the best for staking vampires! I wonder if this refers to the long association with qualities of protection, part of which must come from all the many species it shelters and provides uses for.
It is a tree that looks beautiful in each of its manifestations throughout the changing seasons. The small buds emerging early in the year give way to tender green leaves which are delicious in salads before they toughen up later in the year.
The blossom has equally fantastic medicinal properties as the berries and the two preparations are often used together by herbalists. You can read my accounts of some of the medicinal benefits of Hawthorn here and here.
The blossom can be used to make teas, tinctures, herbal honeys, elixirs, flower remedies or to sprinkle on salads. Some people find the smell offensive but others, including myself, find its sweet headiness quite pleasant.
The oldest Hawthorn in the country is in a village in Norfolk and is thought to be about 700 years old! I would very much like to take a little trip to visit it this coming year. There is said to be one more than twice as old again in France, though apparently this hasn’t been verified.
The summer hawthorn is all green fullness and abundance. I often wonder how the leaves stay on in such windy conditions!
After the blossom dies back, small green berries begin to form which ripen into the wonderful red fruits we so associate with late summer and autumn. These can be made into all sorts of delicious syrups and elixirs as well as being used for tinctures and decoctions. You can read about my Hawthorn syrup here.
Hawthorn has a use for every season; food, medicine and wildlife habitat, it also keeps us warm in the winter months as its hard, dense wood burns hot without being too smoky.
The latin name, Crataegus, comes from the Greek word for strong. Whilst this is thought to reflect the qualities of the wood, I suspect it may actually refer to the nature of the tree itself which is resilient, tough, hardy and above all abundant and unfailingly generous.
Like many of the plants we consider weeds and many of our wilier animal friends like crows and foxes, the hawthorn has only survived and flourished in a changing habitat due to its ability to adapt.
I look forward to many more years of knowing, appreciating and working with this remarkable plant.
Hi – just to wish you a Peaceful New Year and to say thank you for all your wonderfully interesting posts. As it happens I was browsing your blog only this morning and was reading about Hawthorn in a book earlier – coincidence?
Also, do you know if there is a printed monthly journal or diary regarding herbs and what to do look for / make / preserve each month – a sort of idiots guide/reminder of what to be doing through the year – I think it would make a perfect gift for friends? If not, then your writing would certainly be lovely to read in a glossy book as well as on the web…..just a thought.
Wishing you well always.
Jodi x
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Happy New Year Jodi!
I’m sure there is no such thing as coincidence. 🙂
I don’t know of many journals. The Herb Society do a regular magazine for members or there is an American journal called the Essential Herbal that looks nice, though I have never actually read it to be able to recommend it properly.
I do plan to write a book one day, though I’m sure it will take time to do properly!
Take good care and may 2012 bring you many blessings xxxx
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thank you for sharing your journey closely observing and documenting hawthorn this year, Lucinda. It has been one of the highlights of my year to find several hawthorns near me and being able to compare and join in as you have explored the edible, medicinal, gorgeous qualities of this lovely tree! We still have some berries clinging to ours and it is fun to see the birds enjoying them! xxx big hugs and much love
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Hi Leslie,
It’s so great that you found some hawthorn friends. I hope you write about them some time and share some pictures.
And I’m glad the birds are getting as much pleasure from them as you are. 🙂
Lots of love for a very Happy New Year xxx
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A wonderful tribute to the Hawthorn Lucinda. A lovely start to my day.
The first hedge I planted here was hawthorn. I also inherited an old tree, which I love dearly. It had obviously been coppiced at some stage. A plum has seeded alongside it and they seem very happy together 🙂
Bless the trees………
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Bless the trees indeed! Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that you planted a Hawthorn first given their associations with all things magical and heart centred!
A very Happy New Year to you, your family, the wildlife and the garden xx
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What a beautiful post .. but more than that because so informative, I have learned a lot from your lovely pictures and your observations. I hope you do get to visit your ancient hawthorn .. do you think you will follow a new tree for 2012? Or would it be interesting to stay with the hawthorns to compare one year with another? Love and light to you x
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Hi Steph,
Thank you for stopping by. I also hope we will get the chance to visit the tree- expect a blog post if I do! Norfolk is quite far from where we live but I’m sure we can make a weekend of it and do some camping too.
I’d like to follow a new tree but keep observing the hawthorns as well as I walk past them regularly. Every year is so different from the last it will be interesting to see how they respond. I also hope to try and grow a baby from some of their seeds!
Wishing you a beautiful New Year and many blessings xx
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Yay! Hawthorn is a favorite friend of mine. It is such a blessing. Nice to see such a thoughtful post about it. Thanks!
Michael
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Thanks Michael. Happy New Year and I hope 2012 is full of all things green and good. 🙂
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Such a lovely year you’ve spent with your hawthorn! I’ve so enjoyed seeing your beautiful photos and reading your many thoughtful insights, recipes and poetic descriptions. I remember you once writing a post about seeing the full beauty in the continuance of a thing – looking at it through all of it’s manifestations as it grows and declines with the cycles of life – and I can feel that in this reflection and in all your posts throughout the last year.
Happy new year to you and your beautiful tree 🙂
D
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Hi Danielle,
Thank you for your lovely comment. I have really enjoyed observing the trees and reading about your beautiful apples too. As soon as I have a bigger garden I will plant some apple trees. 🙂
Happy New Year and big hugs to you my love xxxx
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What an informative and interesting post. We don’t have hawthorn trees here in Canada (at least I don’t think so), but I’ve read about them over the years – in faerie tales and love the magic aura surrounding them.
Happy New year to you
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Thats interesting Wendy, there are many different species of hawthorn so you might find some of the other ones growing in certain areas. I will have to investigate!
I also love the mythology surrounding this tree, it has so many interesting facets.
Have a wonderful start to the New Year and wishing you much joy xx
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I wish you a year full of abundance & joy. I’ve loved your hawthorn journey. In Savernake forest nr. Marlborough is a grandmother Hawthorn whose huge trunk splits into 4 or 5 large branches that spread out & support smaller branches that are the size of normal grown trees! You can walk around inside her canopy. Well worth a visit. xxx
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Wow thank you for the tip Fiona! My parents live only about half an hour from there and my Dad is a tree lover so I will suggest a visit next time I go to see them. It sounds wonderful.
A very blessed 2012 to you xxx
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What a lovely record of the Hawthorn through the seasons. It certainly has been shaped by the wind. I didn’t know they were home to so many animals, or indeed that they’re handy to have around if any vampires are lurking!
Best wishes for 2012.
Dan
-x-
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Indeed, you never know when such information will be of use!!
Wishing you a happy (and vampire free) New Year 🙂
xx
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How wonderful to view one through the seasons. I love the blooms and berries.
Happy New Year.
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Hi Lona, it was a great thing to do. I’ve been using Hawthorns for a long while but it was so interesting to actually engage in this more conscious observation.
Have a wonderful New Year x
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A wonderful blogpost about the Hawthorn through the seasons Lucinda!
Have a wonderful and a Happy New year 🙂
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And to you too dear Rita. I hope 2012 is full of magic for you. xx
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