Trees in Greek Mythology

The alder tree is associated with Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of spinning and weaving, as alder trees have historically been used for making dyes.

Celtics associated the alder tree with death, and many feared the tree because it bleeds when cut.

When Assyrian youth Cyparissus accidentally killed his pet stag, the Gods took pity and turned him into a cypress tree.

In Greek mythology, the Dragon's Blood Tree is linked to Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. When Heracles slew the dragon, its blood spilled onto the earth, spawning the first of these trees.

In Norse and Germanic mythology, the first woman, Embla, was created from an elm tree. Found on a beach by the gods Odin, Vili, and Vé (or Hœnir and Lóðurr), she and the first man, Ask (formed from an ash tree), were brought to life, given form, and intelligence. Embla's name is often interpreted to mean "small elm".

In Norse Mythology, the Ash tree was known as 'Yggdrasil' (the 'Great World Tree').

The Hawthorn tree is traditionally associated with Fairies, and sometimes Witches. It is said that if you sleep under a Hawthorn, you may be whisked away by Fairies.

In Irish, Norse and Roman mythology, the hazel tree is known as the 'Tree of Knowledge'.

According to Greek mythology, Mountain Nymph Daphne was pursued in Arcadia by the god Apollo – she pleaded with Mother Earth for help and was turned into a Laurel tree.

The lime tree (Tilia) is sacred in Slavic mythology, thought to protect against lightning strikes and bad luck.

The oak tree ssociated with Norse and Finnish Thunder Gods, Thor and Jumala, as well as the Roman Jupiter and Greek Zeus.

The Greek Sungod Helios' son, Phaethon, died by a lightning bolt, and Zeus turned the tearful female mourners into a cluster of Poplars.

Hercules tied its leaves into a victory wreath after defeating the giant, Cacus.

In legend, the underside of White Poplar leaves represented the sweat of Hercules as he crowned himself with a wreath from this tree when he brought Cerberus, the Hound of Hades, out of the Underworld.

Norse and Celtic people thought the yew tree prevented bewitching and death.