LISTEN TO THE TREES: THE STARS OF ST NICKS
1: TREELAX AND TUNE IN TO NATURE WITH THE APPLE TREE
Did you know?
There are more than 7,500 varieties of apple in the world.
An apple tree takes approximately 5 to 7 years from a seed until the tree produces its own apples. (Try planting a pip next time you eat an apple and see how long it takes!)
Apple tree blossoms vary in colour. Their brilliant colours include white, pink and yellow.
An apple tree will live as long as 100 years, possibly longer when they are not damaged by people, animals or weather.
2: DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND THE KING OF TANG HALL WITH THE WILLOW TREE
Amaze your friends with your new found tree knowledge!
The latin name for willow is salix
Willow trees have elongated leaves that are green on the upper side and whitish on the bottom, Check them out!
Willow is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It can grow 10 feet in height each year.
3: LEARN THE STORY OF THE ELF AND THE DRAGON WITH THE SYCAMORE TREE.
WOW! Check out these Fun Facts
Seeds of sycamore are known as “helicopters” because of their wings that rotate similar to helicopter’s propellers on the wind.
The sycamore is a symbol of strength and protection.
It is a hard wood which is good to make furniture and musical instruments from!
5: FIND OUT THE MAGICAL POWERS OF THE GOLDEN CONKER WITH THE HORSE CHESTNUT TREE.
By the way, did you know?
The horse chestnut was introduced to the UK from Turkey.
Conkers are the seed of the horse chestnut and can be gathered in Autumn.
Conkers can be mildly poisonous to many animals, causing sickness if eaten, although some animals can safely consume them, most notably deer.
Until horse chestnuts were introduced to the UK in the 1600’s, the game conkers was played with snail shells! (We hope they were empty!)
7: COME AND MAKE A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FROM NATURE AND SING ALONG UNDER THE LABURNUM TREE.
WOW!
Laburnum has a multi stemmed trunk, can you see how many stems are growing from his base?
Laburnum is also known as the golden rain tree due to its beautiful yellow flowers that appear in late May/early July.
Laburnum wood makes certain types of bagpipes!!
8: LISTEN TO THE AMAZING HISTORY OF WHAT LIES UNDER YOUR FEET AT SAINT NICKS WITH THIS WISE, OLD SYCAMORE.
We couldn’t believe it!
Sycamore was used in Wales for carving love spoons. An admirer would carve a beautiful spoon from the wood and give it to his love to show off their wood working talents. The spoons had love hearts and anchors and crosses carved into them, the more elaborate the spoon, the better. What would you decorate a love spoon with?
10: FIND OUT HOW THE CRACK WILLOW SISTERS STOPPED FIGHTING WHEN A WISE ELDER MOVED NEXT DOOR!
Did you know Faery folk love music and dancing and make pipes and whistles from the elder. The best time to encounter faeries under the Elder tree is Midsummers Eve, when it is said that the Faery King and Queen pass by its roots on a train!
