The Rowan Tree: peace and protection

 If you're a Tolkien fan like I am, you'll remember Treebeard, the Ent. I've always loved the part of The Two Towers that describes tree shepherds, looking much like trees themselves, caring over forests. Treebeard and his fellow Ents kept the forests healthy and safe, but lived with a longing to find their Ent-wives. The story goes that long ago, the Ent-wives had been lured away from their husbands by the excitement of planting crops in a different part of Middle Earth. The Ent-husbands searched for their wives for many, many years. In hopes of luring them back home, they planted beautiful Rowan trees. Quickbeam, a lively young Ent and companion of Treebeard, was in the form of a Rowan tree. And in some places on our own earth today, rowan trees are still called quickbeam.

Reading about Treebeard's forest was my first exposure to the Rowan tree. And then just lately, I learned about many deep-rooted traditions associated with the Rowan. It is a treasured tree in the British Isles and has been planted at the front door or gate of many a home across the English countryside, protection against danger, against malevolent beings, a strong presence to keep safe those within. In the Scottish Highlands, it was taboo to cut this magical tree unless it was for the purpose of ritual use. The druids thought it increased their psychic powers. A rowan branch was carried on ships to avert bad storms. Magicians had their staffs made from it especially to protect them during night journeys. And the Rowan was thought to be a portal tree, a threshhold between worlds. 

The idea of a sturdy beautiful tree offering protection caught my attention this month because we at Prairie Hill suffered an intrusion that shook us badly a couple weeks ago. A traveler passing through the city, running from the police after a hit & run, came up our community lane and attacked one and then another of us. He was high on meth, out of control, and intent on stealing a car. And for hours there was a stand-off between this man and the police, our peaceful community full of cop cars and armed officers. The two people who were attacked are recovering. And as a community we are recovering too. But the image of a protective tree standing guard at our entrance caught my imagination and I've been on a mission to find a Rowan tree!

Many places listed having Rowans on their websites, but when I called they would all say they were unavailable. I had almost given up when a friend passed on word that Home Depot was advertising them, and I was able to order one! It is coming by truck tomorrow! I've looked around my Adopted Plot here at Prairie Hill, and I think there's a place very near the entrance where the tree could get what it needs. The place is right in the middle of my current strawberry bed, but strawberries can be moved. It will be in light well-drained soil there and will get plenty of sun. And it will be near enough to have daily care for awhile. I know that the Rowan is vulnerable to the same diseases as apple trees, but this does not keep us from planting apples and it isn't keeping me from planting this important symbolic tree. Most people I've told about the Rowan breathe a sigh of relief just at imagining a tree-presence at our entrance that promotes our safety. It is not a gate, or a fence, or some other material obstacle. Yet somehow the image of a protector in the form of a tree eases our spirits.

The Rowan has many attributes. It grows red berries in the fall that birds love, but which are also good for humans in sauces, jams, wine and ale. The berries are also medicinal, easing sore throats, inflamed tonsils and diarrhea. They're an excellent source of Vitamin C and A as well. Butterflies love the flowers and berries. The wood is dense and is often used for tool handles or walking sticks. And it is beautiful. One English name for the Rowan is "Light of the Eye".  Here's hoping that in a few years, a beautiful Rowan will grace our entrance at Prairie Hill, emanating peace and safety in all directions....