Can anyone tell me about this tree?

Question

In a park near my home there has been a white tree planted which is covered in white rags.

I was wondering what this tree meant - is it a wish tree or a remembrance tree?

I cannot find any information on the world wide web so have come here to hopefully get some answers!

Answer 1

Tree Worship - by tying a strip of rag to a chosen worship tree, a person my transfer their illness from themselves to the tree wherein the saint or God resides.  It is a very widespread practise - right across Asia and deep into Celtic Europe as far west as Ireland.

The tree in question is a remembrance and wishing tree.

Worship of Trees

http://www.controverscial.com/In%20Worsh...

Trees and the sacred

http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/tre...

You may be among the millions who have a Christmas Tree each year.  It's origins are entirely Germanic and Pagan.  Dressing the tree is all part of the Pagan ritual of the Mid-Winter Solstice etc.

The Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

http://www.new-age.co.uk/winter-solstice...

Pagan Tree Worship

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Tree-wor...

Pagan Tree Worship in Suburbia

http://www.christmaswatch.net/2007/12/pa...

Widespread Paganism - even in the Islamic world

http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/cul...

Tying rags to trees in Northern Israel

http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=...

Answer 2

The wish tree thing you're talking about can be known as a clootie tree. Is there a well/spring near it? Suppose it could be some kind of installation art, but I'd say if people are using it as a clootie tree, then it becomes one!

Usually different clootie trees are ascribed different properties. There's a famous one on the Black Isle/Inverness-shire/Scotland which has been ascribed the ability to confer fertility, if a woman ties some personal attire to it.

Generally the tying of the rag is used to "absorb"/remove something negative, leading to a beneficial effect on those who tie the rag. It's usually considered very bad luck to touch any rag once it's been tied on, as it to do so would mean you then absorb any negativity that had been placed within.

In general if adding to a clooty tree, I'd suggest only using natural fibres. I feel It's the rotting of the fabric which dissipates the negativity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clootie_wel...

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Think the above answerers were allong the right lines as having a good look at the tree makes me think it could be peeling bark, and not actual rags as I first thought.

Here's some stuff about the Handkerchief tree

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkerchie...

(don't think it is one. It definitely looks like bark to me)

Answer 3

The Dove tree.  It is also known as the Handkerchief tree. The Dove tree is also known as the Pocket Handkerchief Tree because the white bracts appear as a folded handkerchief around flower heads.The tree is native to central China, from Hubei to southern Gansu, south to Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan.

It is a moderately fast-growing tree, growing to about 20-25 m in height, with alternate cordate leaves resembling those of a linden in appearance, except that they are symmetrical, and lacking the lop-sided base typical of linden leaves; the leaves are mostly 10-20 cm long and 7-15 cm wide and are ovate to heart-shaped.

The Dove tree is best known for its flowers. These form a tight cluster about 1-2 cm across, reddish in colour, each flower head with a pair of large (12-25 cm), pure white bracts at the base performing the function of petals. These hang in long rows beneath the level branches. The flowers are at their best in late May. On a breezy day, the bracts flutter in the wind like white doves, hence the English name for this tree.



or

White Flowering Dogwood is the aristocrat of native flowering trees, with excellent show of white blossoms in spring, and bright red berries in fall and winter. It is planted as a specimen, near a patio, or in groupings. Low branching tree that spreads horizontally and has a semi-rounded top. Does best in sun to part shade. Does best in well drained acid soil with sufficient organic matter. Mulch to maintain a cool, moist soil.

Answer 4

It's the handkerchief tree (can't remember it's botanical name) they are actually leaf bracts.It's an incredible tree.Not popular because it grows massive and flowers for a short time.