The Trees

 One of those living entities of the nemeton are the trees.
Some of these silent friends have guarded our secrets, shielded us from the eye for hundreds of years, each bearing its own unique spirit and personality.
Often today they are set into simple categories, which will bring the most wood for homes, which will offer the most money when cut.
Those who lived in ages past knew the value to be placed upon these guardians of the forests, and as man may rank himself according to the monies he makes, or those he knows, or his position of power among other men, so were the trees ranked, according to power and position, according to the unique attributes with which each is possessed.
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Woodland Rankings

 In the sacred grove differed according to the community who ranked the trees. The Celts primarily the Irish and the Brittons ranked, and though they are similar in the ranking, each held differences as well.
The Irish Rankings are listed below

 Peasant Trees  Chief Trees
  • Alder
  • Willow
  • Hawthorn
  • Rowan
  • Birch
  • Elm
  • Oak
  • Hazel
  • Holly
  • Yew
  • Ash
  • Pine
  • Apple

Tree Offerings

Staff or Wand

What brings to mind visions of magik and mystery, illusions of foggy nights and lone figures emerging from the depths of the night surer than a staff or wand?
Of wizened wood, or straight and true, tipped with silver or polished to a dull glow, the wand or staff made from the hands of those who will use it is superior by far to those which are crafted by another of the finest sort.
Work with the Staff when it is green and pliable, stripping the bark carefully
Permit it to dry for several days, and sand or polish, etch or wood burn the symbology you desire, and finish it with a natural finish such as linseed oil.

Bark Dyes

 The bark of trees and shrubbery, as well as the green and berries make admirable natural dyes, which, when used with saline, or a mordant, will remain fast.
The natural dyes do fade more rapidly, but also with more harmony than the manmade dyes and colors.
Elderberries, Walnut Hulls and Bark, Apple Bark, WIllow Bark, Pear Tree Bark, will yield some remarkable shades, ranging from grey green to deep brown.
These are further explored on the plants page

Edible Treats

It is no secret that parts of the tree are edible, and can be used to make myriad offerings for the table. Among those offerings, applesauce, cherries, plums, wines, ciders, and maple syrup, cinnamon bark, nutmeg, oranges and orange peel.
Two recipes for tree offerings are listed here.

Mulling Spices
4 sticks cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp whole cloves
2 tbsp orange peel, dried
1 Tsp ground ginger
Tie spices into a muslin or cheescloth bag
Drop into cider or wine as it is slowly heated
Allow to steep after removal from the heat for about twenty minutes to achieve full flavoring 		Brandied Cherries
5 pounds cherries
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 tbsp Lemon juice
10 tbsp peach brandy
Mix sugar, water and lemon, cooking just until it begins to boil.
Pack the cherries tightly in 2 pint jars
Fill jar half with syrup, add 3 tbsp brandy, and continue to fill with hot syrup til 1/2 inch from the top of the jar.
Process in cold water bath canner for approx. 20 min.