Saturday, December 13, 2014

One Impressive Yew Tree...!

We all like a little truth mixed in with our myths sometimes, right?

The history of this one particular tree has enough of both to make for an interesting study, I'd say. It takes a lot of luck and care for a tree to last as long as this one has. So far, time has been kind to it, without a doubt.

Fortingall Yew
The 5,000-Year-Old Tree



In the heart of Scotland stands one of Europe’s oldest trees, the Fortingall Yew. Experts speculate that the tree may be 5,000 years old. It is named for the small village in which it is found—Fortingall, in Perthshire. The land surrounding Fortingall contains some of the most amazing archaeological sites in Scotland, from plague burial grounds to the remains of a 1,300-year-old monastery. While the Yew first sprouted long after the first people moved to Scotland over 12,000 years ago, it’s probably as old as the first settlements at Fortingall.

The Fortingall Yew is significant not just because of its age, but because of the intriguing folklore surrounding this ancient living entity. Yews are part of the landscape at countless British churches—many times the trees were planted at the same time as the church was founded. The Fortingall Yew predates its sister chapel by thousands of years, leading experts to believe that it was an important site for pagan rituals long before Christianity came to Perthshire. It was common practice for early Christians to build over sacred groves and other existing religious sites in order to promote the dominance of their own religion. Folklore linking the Fortingall Yew to Christianity soon built up around it.

Legend says that Pontius Pilate, the judge and Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to crucifixion, was born by the tree and played in the shade of the Yew during his childhood. This legend, while unlikely to be factual, tied Scotland to the history of Christianity in a tangible (if mythological) way. New Age practitioners have also been attracted to the Fortingall Yew, claiming the tree was important in the rituals of the druids, and that the druids did not built near it because of its immense energy. Today the tree is badly damaged and even had to be cut back to save it from rot, but it still stands strong in the heart of Scotland, reminding visitors of the sacredness of ancient trees.

Pretty impressive tree by any standards, I'd say. What a history we would know, if only the old tree could talk!

Coffee on the patio this morning. Another nice warm day coming up.

5 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Interesting article (again)- so I had to look it up. They have taken cuttings of it will be planting them around the country. Chilly here at 29 and very windy!

JO said...

Interesting story. I wish they had taken a real picture to go along with the article.

It was supposed to be cold and rainy here but it isn't either. Nice morning for the patio.

linda m said...

That is amazing that the tree is still standing. Oh the stories it can tell. Miserable here this morning - 29 degrees and foggy - so I'll be glad to sit on your patio.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I just love the older trees! Think of all the history behind them!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Jo...
A picture would have been nice, for sure!

Thanks for stopping by, sweetie.



Hey Linda M...
I'm glad that it has survived this long.

Thanks for coming over this morning!

Unknown said...

For picture of the tree (google images)Fortingall Yew