Alder | Apple | Ash | Aspen

Alder

In the Tyrol belief had it that the Alder tree was often used by sorcerers. One particular legend tells of how a small boy who climbed up a large tree, He looked down and saw a number of sorcerers at the foot of the tree. Whilst watching they cut up a dead woman's body and proceeded to throw the pieces high into the air, so high in fact that the boy caught one of the pieces. The pieces fell back down and the sorcerers began to count them but one was missing. Realising this they replaced the piece with wood from the Alder tree, and the woman came back to life. Ever since the tree has been associated with the dead, and their resurrection back to life.

R. Rapin's poem tells of the origin of the Alder (and Willow);

'De Hortorum Cultura'
'Of watery race Alders and Willows spread
O'er silver brooks their melancholy shade,
Which heretofore (thus tales have been believed)
Were two poor men, who by their fishing lived;
Till on a day when Pales' feast was held,
And all the town with pious mirth was filled,
This impious pair alone her rites despised,
Pursued their care, till she their crime chastised:
While from the banks they gazed upon the flood,
The angry goddess fixed them where they stood,
Transformed to sets, and just examples made
To such as slight devotion for their trade.
At length, well watered by the bounteous stream
They gained a root, and spreading trees became;
Yet pale their leaves, as conscious how they fell,
Which croaking frogs with vile reproaches tell.'

Diviners in search of water hidden underground are known to often use forked branches taken from the Alder tree traditionally called 'Wishing Rods' (also Apple, Hazel and Beech). (See Mystical WWW Trees & Divining Methodology).

Apple
It is said that if the sun could be seen shining through the branches of an Apple tree on December 25, Christmas Day, then the owner, if a farmer, would reap a healthy crop the following summer. If the farmer wanted to ensure that this would happen he would have put a piece of toast (grilled bread) in the fork of the tree, or the largest Apple tree in the orchard. 'Wassail Parties' were traditionally held by men of the area where cider was made, such as Somerset, England (UK). Celebrations focused on giving thanks to the wood spirits and all spirits that safeguarded the crop, culminating in songs and verses being chanted whilst the remaining cider was thrown over the trees.
Diviners in search of water hidden underground are known to often use forked branches taken from the Apple tree traditionally called 'Wishing Rods' (also Beech, Hazel and Alder). (See Mystical WWW Trees & Divining Methodology).
The 'Crab Apple' tree was thought to indicate that there would be more births and marriages than deaths in a community if the tree grew near to, and overhung, a well whilst blossoming out of season.

Ash

Since ancient times some have believed that the first man was created from the branches and flesh of the Ash tree (and also of the oak). The Ancient Greeks thought that at the beginning of time cloud-ash was produced spawning small melia which came together and resulted in humanity being created. (The oak was thought to produce the first man and the trees themselves were called the first mothers). Perhaps if it can create man this is also why the ash tree was thought traditionally to hold many curative powers.
Stories and legends abound for this tree. Some connected with the supernatural and often with negative energies, whilst others have a root within specific belief systems such as Paganism or Christianity. One mythological belief focuses on when Christianity was brought to Northern Europe, the Scandinavian gods of the North were obviously affected by this new belief. They were transformed into witches and the ash became their favourite tree. In 'Phantastes' Dr. George MacDonald tells how the 'Forest of Fairyland' was a place visited by witches. There was an ash tree in the forest which was thought to be an ogre, or at least people thought that evil forces dwelled there, and on 'Walpurgis Night' it was said that the witches ate the tree buds so that there would not be any on 'St. John's Night'. To keep 'Askafora' (Eschenfrau) or wife of the ash content an offering had to be given on Ash Wednesday. She was seen as a particularly evil spirit who wrought havoc when not satisfied with events around her.
The seeds of the Ash have long been used in love divination. If the seeds did not appear on a tree the owner was thought to have been unlucky in love, or a future venture would not be successful. By repeating the following traditional English (UK) verse the inquirer would soon have the identity of their intended revealed:

Love Divination Verse
'Even-ash, even-ash, I pluck thee,
This night my own true love to see,
Neither in his bed nor in the bare,
But in the clothes he does every day wear.'

In the North of England (UK) it was thought that by a woman placing an Ash leaf in the left shoe, she would be fortunate enough to meet her future spouse immediately.
Another traditional English (UK) verse was held to have the power to reveal weather information:

Weather Changes
'If the ash leaf appears before the oak,
Then there'll be a very great soak.
But if the oak comes before the ash,
Then expect a very small splash.'

To ward off negative energies and personal misfortune the following English (UK) verse was thought to aid those who came upon an Ash tree and picked a leaf from a branch:

'Even ash, I do thee pluck,
Hoping thus to meet good luck.
If no good luck I get from thee,
I shall wish thee on the tree.'

Having found a leaf by chance, success and happiness would be doubly assured if the Ash leaf was kept upon the person or worn openly.
A wonderful Norwegian love story tells of 'Axel Thordsen and Fair Valdborg'. The two were never a couple in life but upon death they were buried close to each other. An Ash tree was planted on each grave. As the trees grew to the same height the branches inclined and became entwined.
In the story of 'Lay le Fraine', that translates as the 'Adventures of the Ash' or the 'Lay of the Ash Tree', a twin is deserted by the mother. It is left at the door of an abbey underneath an Ash tree. This French romantic tale says that the infant is found by as abbess. She called the child 'Le Fraine' because of it being found under the tree.
Another legend from Scandinavia tells of how a giant once gave an Ash tree to a community. He proceeded to instruct them to place the Ash tree on a church altar. The giant told them that he wanted to destroy the church. Rather than follow this perhaps sacrilegious instruction, the people deposited the Ash tree on top of a grave. It immediately burst into flames.
There is no Ash tree in the churchyard of 'Nortorf, Holstein'. According to Saxon legend one may eventually grow into a tree, as each year an Ash shoot appears. On 'New Year's Night' each year it is cut down by a white horseman riding a white horse, and every time a black horseman with a black steed tries to stop him. The white horseman thought fends off the black horseman's challenge. It is said that the tree will grow when the black horseman succeeds in challenging his opposite. When this happens the tree will be tall enough for a horse to be tied underneath it, and so the king will be able to fight a mighty battle with his army. The horse under the tree will belong to the king and will stand there all the way through the battle. If this happens, the king will become more powerful than before.
Another English (UK) belief attached to the winged seeds is that is these do not appear then a reigning monarch will die.

Aspen

ASPEN
The leaves of the Aspen tree were believed to tremble continually, hence it also being known as the 'shivering tree'. The Greek word 'kepkis', which means 'shuttle', was given to this tree because of the action of the leaves, quivering back and forth all the time. There are many legends connected with the Aspen.
One is thought to stem from the belief that the cross on which Christ was crucified was made from the wood of the Aspen tree. Belief has it that the tree was filled with grief and remorse at being connected with the Crucifixion. (See also Mystical-WWW : Easter) The Aspen was the only tree reputed not to bend with compassion as the Passion and continues to tremble as a result.
A traditional legend from Germany is associated with the Holy Family. They were walking in a forest and all the trees bowed reverently. The only tree that didn't was the Aspen. It is said that the Holy Child cursed the tree, and the leaves began to tremble. It is also said that the tree has continued to do so ever since.

Traditional German Poem
'Once as our Saviour walked with men below,
His path of mercy through a forest lay;
And mark how all the drooping branches show
What homage best a silent tree may pay!
Only the aspen stands erect and free,
Scorning to join the voiceless worship pure;
But see! He casts one look upon the tree,
Struck to the heart, she trembles evermore!'

Sir Walter Scott
'O woman! In our hours of ease
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade
By the light quivering Aspen made.'
Traditional Russian Proverb
'There is an accursed tree
which trembles without even a breath of wind.'

The movement of Aspen leaves have been associated by Gerarde with women's tongues. A rather ungracious association as they 'seldome cease wagging'. He also said the tongue itself has been made of the leaf itself. The Aspen has also been thought to help cure fevers being seen to have curative powers, but only if the following was carried out at night. The nail clippings of the sick person should be taken and placed in a hole cut in the trunk that should then be covered again to seal the tree.