By Bernie Bell.

I noticed that some of the lower branches of one of our Alder trees were starting to over-shadow a small Sycamore which is growing nearby.  I was inspecting the Alder to see what might be done, when I noticed that there are cones on it already…..where did the summer go?

I apologised to the Alder, and snipped a bit off it to let light to the Sycamore. 

I brought the bit I’d cut into the house and put it in a jar – then I noticed that it’s got catkins as well as cones – getting ready for Spring!  Two seasons on one branch.

I Googled…… ‘Is it lucky or un-lucky to bring Alder into the house?’  and read a lot of contradictory views  – plus and minus.  So I decided to take no notice, as it does look good in the window and it smells good too. 

I sit in my den, tapping away, bathed in the scent of Alder leaves – I didn’t know they had a particular smell, and they do – it’s kind-of spicy/aromatic.

When the branch finally fades, I’ll take the cones and put them in the stove to burn when we first light the fire in the Autumn – kind of prolonging the life of and our memory of the branch.

In an un-informed way – we’re magicy folk.

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/alder/alder-mythology-and-folklore

---