Tree Meanings

Boy_in_tree_with_apple_1.jpgTrees have such a significant role on this earth that is no wonder they are celebrated and revered by most cultures. Because of this, different types of trees have links to different characteristics and qualities.

Listed below are some of the most popular and common trees with their spiritual or cultural meaning.

If you have any knowledge on trees and their meanings and would like to share these with us, please contact us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acacia_Branch_1.jpgAcacia (Wattle) - Sensitivity and Protection

 

 

 

Alder_Buckthorn_1.jpgAlder - Release  The nitrogen-fixing nodules on the Alder's roots improve soil fertility and so make this tree ideal for reclaiming degraded soils and industrial wastelands such as slag heaps. 

 

Almond_Tree.jpg Almond – Purity and Perfection

 

 

 

appletree_1.jpg Apple - Health and Fertility In the 19th century in Germany, the first bathwater used by a newborn baby was poured over the roots of an apple tree to ensure that the child would have red checks. And if it was a girl, large breasts too!

 

 

 

Ash_1.jpg Ash - Protection In British folklore, the Ash was credited with a range of protective and healing properties, most frequently related to child health. Newborn babies were popularly given a teaspoon of Ash sap.

 

 

Aspenleaf_1.jpg Aspen The Aspen tree has a unique appearance of shimmering or quivering in the wind. They also make a distinctive rustling, whispering sound which in many cultures and religions is associated with the voice of spirit, and in the boughs and leaves of the aspen the wind finds a distinctive voice to inspire those who would listen with patience and sensitivity.

 

Avocadofruit_1.jpg Avocado - Fertility Avocados target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... it takes exactly 9 months to grow an Avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.

 

Banyan_Tree_1.jpg Banyan – The World Tree A sacred tree to India, China and Southeast Asia

 

 

 

 


Baobab_Tree_1.jpg Baobab – The Tree of Life A deciduous tree native to Africa, the enormous trunks can hold thousands of litres of water becoming the life source for many tribes. Hence the meaning – “Tree of Life”.


Bay_laurel.jpg Bay/Laurel – Earth’s Calling and Glory
Fragrant leaves used in cooking and beauty products.

 

 

 

 


Beech_Tree_1.jpg Beech - Understanding, Sustenance and Preservation A slow growing tree that also comes in a beautiful copper tone as shown in the picture.

 

Beech_1.jpg Birch -Renewal As Birch is one of the first trees to come into leaf, it would be an obvious choice as representation of the emergence of Spring. Traditionally, babies' cradles were made of Birch wood, drawing on the earlier symbolism of new beginnings.

 

Camellia_1.jpg Camilla – Excellence It's no wonder the Camilla is connected with excellence. It's perfect blooms in shades of white, pink or red are enhanced by the glossy green foliage.



Cedar_Of_Lebanon_1.jpg Cedar - Wisdom and Strength

 

 


Cherry_1.jpg Cherry - Beauty and Purity  Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the ageing process.

 

Orange_Tree_1.jpg Citrus - Energy, Fairness and Justice Lemons, grapefruits, oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts.

 

 

 

 

Cypress_Alley_1.jpg Cypress - Heaven’s Calling

 

 

 

 

 

Elder_Berry.jpg Elder - Healing and Abundance  As everyone knows (or ought to know), the Faery Folk love music and merrymaking, and best of all they like the music from instruments made of Elder wood. Wood from the Elder tree lends itself well to the making of whistles, pipes, chanters and other musical instruments. The most auspicious time to encounter faeries was under an Elder bush on Midsummer's Eve, when the Faery King and Queen and their train could be seen passing.

 

 

Elm_leaves_1.jpg Elm- Communication and Relationship People looked to the Elm tree for medicinal cures. The inner bark was especially efficacious when chewed or boiled into a liquor to treat colds and sore throats, while the boiled bark was also used to treat burns.

 

 

eucalyptus_1.jpg Eucalyptus - Restoring Balance and Increasing Vitality

 

 

 

 

Fig_1.jpg Fig - Fertility and Good Fortune Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to help overcome male sterility.

 

 

Ginkgo_1.jpg Ginkgo - Life Force

 

 

 

 

 

Hawthorn_1.jpg Hawthorne - Purification Hawthorn is at its most prominent in the landscape when it blossoms during the month of May, and probably the most popular of its many vernacular names is the May-tree. As such, it is the only British plant which is named after the month in which it blooms.

 

Hazel - Playfulness and Enchantment

Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence, as staffs favoured by pilgrims, or to make shepherds crooks and everyday walking sticks. In the case of the latter two, the pliancy of the Hazel's wood was used to bend the stems into the required shape, though it was also customary to bend the Hazel shoots when still on the tree to 'grow' the bend into a crook or walking stick.

 

Hibiscus_1.jpg Hibiscus - Delicate Beauty

 

 

 

 


Holly_Branch_1.jpg Holly – Truth
Evergreen with red berries iconic of Christmas.



Hornbeam_1.jpg Hornbeam – Guardianship

 

 

 

 

 


HorseChesnut_1.jpg Horse Chestnut – Patience

 


Juniper_1.jpg Juniper The Romans used the Juniper berries for purification and stomach ailments, while the famous medieval herbalist Culpepper recommended them for a wide variety of conditions including the treatment of flatulence, for which Juniper oil is still used today. Chemicals in the berries also stimulate contraction of the uterine muscles and could be administered during labour.

 

Kauri.jpgKauri – Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest. A Sacred Relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

Larch_1.jpg Larch – Going Beyond the Limits Tall conifer with spreading branches

 


Linden_1.jpg Linden – Healing and Peace Large deciduous trees with fine serrated lime leaves and creamy yellow flowers that are a great source of nectar to bees

 


Magnolia_1.jpg Magnolia – Dignity Large evergreen tree with dark glossy leaves and huge heavily scented cream flowers

 

 

 

Maple_1.jpg Maple – Expansion

 

 


Monkey_Puzzle_1.jpg Monkey Puzzle – Care

 

 

 

 

Myrrh – Devotion and Mediation

 

Myrtle_1.jpg Myrtle – Unity

 

 

Oak_1.jpg Oak - Bravery and Power The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is purported to be the tree where Robin Hood and his Merry Men hatched their plots, and is now a popular tourist attraction. 

 

Olive_1.jpg Olive -Peace Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

 

 

Palm_1.jpg Palm – Trust

 

 


Pear_1.jpg Pear - Good Health, Fortune and Comfort A long lived large tree that comes from the rose family. White blossoms in spring and wonderful fruit in Autumn.

 

 

 


Pine_1.jpg Pine – Vitality

 



Plane.jpg Plane - Balance

 



Pomegranate_1.jpg Pomegranate – Fruit of Life

 

 


Poplar_1.jpg Poplar – Protection and Courage

 

 

 

 


Quince_1.jpg Quince - Fertility and Love From the rose family the common quince is native to Iran and Turkestan. Reaching six metres high with a fragrant white to pale pink flower with golden yellow fruit.

Rose – Love

White_Rose_1.jpg Rose White - I am Worthy of You, Purity

 

 

Red_Rose_1.jpg Rose Red - Pure and Lovely

 

 

Pink_Rose_1.jpg Rose Pink – Charming and Beauty

 

 

Yellow_Rose_1.jpg Rose Yellow – Friendship

 

 

Rosemary_1.jpg Rosemary – Remembrance

 

 

 

spruce_1.jpg Spruce/Fir - Connections with all Life Part of the Pine family, these large evergreen conifers are symbolic with Christmas

 

 


Chestnuts_1.jpgSweet Chestnut – Nourishment and Incarnation

 

 


Sycamore_1.jpg Sycamore Fig - Ultimate Blessing

 

 


Totara_1.jpgTotara – Respect Totara symbolises respect from the Maori fable about the Totara tree being cut down by Rata to build a Waka (canoe) without asking the forest for permission. Over night the birds and creatures of the forest rebuilt the tree until Rata realised he had to ask for permission to cut down the tree and respect the forest. 


Walnut_Fruit_1.jpg Walnut – Intellect and Confidence
Walnuts are believed to be good for our mental health. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that Walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuro-transmitters for brain function.


Willow_1.jpg Willow - Freedom and Harmony Willow's ability to quickly regrow a new tree by merely pushing a healthy branch cutting into the soil (even upside down!), has come to symbolise renewal, growth, vitality and immortality in other parts of the world such as China.

 

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