Rowan Tree
Sorbus aucuparia
Status: Over half of Europe's endemic trees are threatened with extinction as they are under increasing attack from invasive pests and pathogens. This is of special concern because the forests are home to great biodiversity, and planted grove diebacks hinder reforestation efforts.
Sorbus aucuparia goes by many common names, among them rowan, mountain ash, quickbeam, witch-hazel. The wood of the rowan was ascribed magical powers in many different European folk beliefs. A forked stick from a rowan was used as a dowsing rod or wand, waved over water or a path, to influence deities and spirits. In Scandinavia, the devil was said to carry a forked caduceus of witch-hazel.
In Wales, the tree was sacred in ancient times, called "pren cerdinen". It was believed that the best way to deter witches and spells was with a bit of its wood. Witches would not come near any who were protected by it. People would carry twigs of mountain ash in their pockets when roaming at night or going on a journey. The wood was embedded into walls and around the frames of windows and doors, that no ill would ever come to the residents of the house.
It is thought that the 19th century name, "rowan" comes from old Norse "runa", a charm, due to the beliefs in its ability to ward off evil and misfortune.
References:
Howe, A. J., Howe, L. (1894). Miscellaneous Papers by Andrew Jackson Howe. United Kingdom: Robert Clarke.
Eclectic Medical Gleaner. (1911). United States: Lloyd Library..
Davies, J. C. (1911). Folk-lore of West and Mid-Wales. United Kingdom: Printed at the "Welsh gazette" offices.
Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics Embracing the Myths, Traditions, Superstitions, and Folk-Lore of the Plant Kingdom. (2020). United States: Library of Alexandria.