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Folklore of Trees: The fascinating stories behind nature's guardians
Did you know that the word ‘Druid' may derive from Celtic words meaning ‘wisdom of the oak tree’?
Did you know that yews are often planted near graveyards to keep the devil out?
Discover the fascinating folklore behind the forest’s most steadfast guardians.
Whether it’s the Major Oak, a 1,000-year-old tree where Robin Hood is thought to have sheltered, or the 2,800-year-old Baobabs in Madagascar, trees are tourist destinations, world heritage sites and much-beloved landmarks. They play a vital role in our imaginations and are inextricably woven into the story of humankind. It’s unsurprising, then, that an astonishingly rich body of myth, legend and superstition has grown up around them. This beautifully illustrated guide introduces us to thirty-five iconic trees and explores the stories that have been told about them. It is the perfect bedside companion for every lover of the natural - and supernatural - world.
Did you know that yews are often planted near graveyards to keep the devil out?
Discover the fascinating folklore behind the forest’s most steadfast guardians.
Whether it’s the Major Oak, a 1,000-year-old tree where Robin Hood is thought to have sheltered, or the 2,800-year-old Baobabs in Madagascar, trees are tourist destinations, world heritage sites and much-beloved landmarks. They play a vital role in our imaginations and are inextricably woven into the story of humankind. It’s unsurprising, then, that an astonishingly rich body of myth, legend and superstition has grown up around them. This beautifully illustrated guide introduces us to thirty-five iconic trees and explores the stories that have been told about them. It is the perfect bedside companion for every lover of the natural - and supernatural - world.
- GenresNature
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
⭐ Nonfiction | Folklore | Nature
Thank you to Leaping Hare Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Folklore of Trees: The Fascinating Stories Behind Nature’s Guardians explores the deep-rooted relationship between trees and human culture, weaving together mythology, religious symbolism, seasonal traditions, and country lore. As someone already familiar with many tree facts, and a fan of trees, I was curious to see whether this book would offer anything new. There was some new facts introduced.
The book traces how trees appear throughout our lives and histories, from Yule logs and holly wreaths at Christmas to the fig tree in the Garden of Eden.
One of the trees I was most excited to read about was the sakura tree. I found it fascinating to learn that plum trees were actually more popular before sakura took the cultural spotlight. Another standout discovery for me was about birch trees, specifically how birch twigs were traditionally used for witch brooms and during Samhain, when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be thinnest. Birch was used to brush away lingering malign spirits from the past year, which added a powerful symbolic layer I hadn’t known before.
Overall, this is a informative book that will appeal to readers interested in trees, folklore, mythology, and nature’s role in shaping human traditions. Even if you think you already know a lot about trees, there’s a strong chance you’ll come away having learned something new.
Thank you to Leaping Hare Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Folklore of Trees: The Fascinating Stories Behind Nature’s Guardians explores the deep-rooted relationship between trees and human culture, weaving together mythology, religious symbolism, seasonal traditions, and country lore. As someone already familiar with many tree facts, and a fan of trees, I was curious to see whether this book would offer anything new. There was some new facts introduced.
The book traces how trees appear throughout our lives and histories, from Yule logs and holly wreaths at Christmas to the fig tree in the Garden of Eden.
One of the trees I was most excited to read about was the sakura tree. I found it fascinating to learn that plum trees were actually more popular before sakura took the cultural spotlight. Another standout discovery for me was about birch trees, specifically how birch twigs were traditionally used for witch brooms and during Samhain, when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be thinnest. Birch was used to brush away lingering malign spirits from the past year, which added a powerful symbolic layer I hadn’t known before.
Overall, this is a informative book that will appeal to readers interested in trees, folklore, mythology, and nature’s role in shaping human traditions. Even if you think you already know a lot about trees, there’s a strong chance you’ll come away having learned something new.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This truly is a gem of a book, there are so many different trees listed, from the common to the very unusual, and the facts and stories mentioned are fascinating and meaningful. I remember as a kid thinking trees were just, well trees. Now I’m definitely middle aged as I love and appreciate each and every one. Even more so after reading this.
If you’re at all interested in nature, tradition & history, then you need this on your shelves. It’s a perfect sized hardback book to dip in & out of, to be read again & again.
Majestic and magnificent. All the trees - and this book. 🌳
If you’re at all interested in nature, tradition & history, then you need this on your shelves. It’s a perfect sized hardback book to dip in & out of, to be read again & again.
Majestic and magnificent. All the trees - and this book. 🌳
April 30, 2026
Wonderful!
Great for lovers of nature, folklore, and human history (like me). The author does a fantastic job of pulling these together in a way that is both accessible and engaging. Beautifully illustrated and full of interesting facts.
I especially enjoyed how the book was structured, with a chapter for each tree - perfect for dipping in and out of!
Great for lovers of nature, folklore, and human history (like me). The author does a fantastic job of pulling these together in a way that is both accessible and engaging. Beautifully illustrated and full of interesting facts.
I especially enjoyed how the book was structured, with a chapter for each tree - perfect for dipping in and out of!
April 15, 2026
A fascinating insight into the relationship between tree and person. It covers a huge array of cultures and highlights the significance of a deeper relationship with trees. Well worth a read. It's not too intimidating either.
May 4, 2026
I planned to just read one page to see what it was like before packing it for a weekend away. And I couldn’t stop for hours, jumping from tree to tree to find out all their stories and the magic attached to them. This book is so interesting, deeply researched and fascinating to read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews