Journal

Identification Alternating leaves, which are usually long and slender. Buds are often fuzzy. Catkins look like enlarged buds, standing upright, and away from the tree. Seeds are light and float like dandelion heads. Botany Enjoys wet soil and river banks. It is common for willow trees to hybridise, so identification to the species level can be quite difficult. Lore Willow was known as the muse to poets in Ancient Greece. How to make willow ink As I write this, the willow tree behind our village pub is just starting its budburst. The sheath that has been protecting the buds is...

Identification Based entirely on appearance, stinging nettles should be part of the mint family. Square stem, leaves in opposite pairs, sometimes-purple tinged. If you look closely at stinging nettles, you’ll also see they look a bit hairy. These hairs are tiny hypodermic needles filled with histamine, and formic acid. Botany Thrives in many locations, including grassland, hedgerows, riverbanks, woodland clearings, and wasteland. Part of the plant to use Full plant. No one is going to mind if you even uproot it. The root will give darker tones. For brighter colours, use only the leaves. Uses Infinitely useful to make rope,...

Caution: berries are toxic! Identification Short tree with waxy, irregularly shaped leaves. Leaves often have thorns. In winter, some trees have red or white berries. Garden cultivars may have yellow stripes on the leaves. Botany Spikes on the leaves are a response to predation. Leaves higher on the tree often lack spikes. Part of the plant to use Berries - caution! they are toxic! Lore Connected to yule festivities. Often planted near houses to protect them from lightning strikes. Colour holly ink made from berries Deep browns: cooked in alkali Light brown / pinks: cooked in acid Black and greys:...

Identification Its smooth bark is grey-brown and its leaves are complex – or pinnate in scientific terms. The leaf itself comprises 11-19 toothed, oblong leaflets, paired but with a terminating leaflet. The leaflets have no stalk of their own. Rowan trees flower in May and have bright red berries come autumn. Botany The rowan tree does not form forests of its own. It likes lots of light and can easily tolerate poor soil, if well drained. Part of the plant to use Berries Lore One of the most revered trees, being called the Tree of Inspiration, the Tree of Life,...