Winter crafts

Alder buckthorn, frangula alnus, Avdeev_80/iStock

Alder buckthorn is a bushy shrub, with glossy green leaves which turn yellow and red in the autumn. Its twigs are smooth and straight with a purple hue. In the late spring Alder buckthorn produces small flowers and later develops berries which turn black as they ripen. 

Commonly used to make natural dyes, alder buckthorn has an explosive history as it’s an ingredient in gunpowder.  

Blackthorn, prunus spinosa, Tom Meaker/iStock

Blackthorn trees are vital for creating a very British and wintry beverage, sloe gin. The dark purple berries ‘sloe’ produced by Blackthorne appear in late autumn and can be used to make edible products such as jam, wine or gin infusions.  

In old English folklore people thought that large quantities of sloe berries were a sign that the upcoming winter would bring increased sickness. In Irish folklore however Blackthorn was used to make amulets and spells of protection and heroes were often helped by Blackthorn trees, using the twigs to make impenetrable hedges that would stop any villains in pursuit.  

The evergreen is a common occurrence in English hedgerows, with dense branches, tapered green leaves and thorny twigs. Blackthorn can be spotted in the winter by its black spiny branches with small buds. As the timber is tough, it’s traditionally used for making walking sticks. 

Dogwood, cornus sanguinea, Phil Clark/iStock

 

Dogwoods are native to the UK as well as across Europe, Asia and North America. In the UK it's commonly found in woodland and hedgerows but is also a popular ornamental plant due to its autumn and winter colour.    The name comes from its twigs which were used to make butchers’ skewers for meat called 'dags' or 'dogs'. Other uses include the bark in herbal medicine as it's rich in tannins and the leaves used to dress wounds. Wood from dogwood trees is incredibly hard and believed to have been chosen to build the cross used to crucify Jesus Christ.

Hazel, Corylus avellana, Nadanka/iStock

 

Hazel, mostly known for producing hazelnuts, both for human consumption and for wildlife such as squirrels. Hazel coppice provides timber that is often used by gardeners when creating supporting structures for climbing plants but has also been used to build furniture and create other tools because of its ability to be twisted and knotted. 

Hazel supports many rare and endangered species of lichens as well as mycorrhizal fungi. 21 species of mycorrhizal fungi alone are recorded as having relationships with hazel, including the fiery milk mushroom or hazel milk-cap Lactarius pyrogalus. 

Hazel has long been thought of as a magical tree, able to protect against evil spirits or referred to as the 'Tree of Knowledge’. The tree is frequently referenced as material for creating magic items from folklore to modern novels. In Harry Potter hazel is the wood used to build Firebolt broomsticks and the wand of Divination teacher Sybill Trelawney. 

Heather, Calluna vulgaris, Katarina Molnarova/iStock

An evergreen shrub with spiky, linear leaves that develops pinkish flowers between summer and autumn. Heather thrives in poor quality soil and is often found in heathland, moors and highlands. 

Heather has been used in European folklore for hundreds of years, thought to be a cleansing ingredient in many herbal medicines. In Scottish folklore heather is connected to stories of love, turned white by tears shed from a woman who lost her true love. Despite her despair she wished happiness and luck to others, leading heather to become a symbol of good luck. 

Holly, ilex aquifolia, Anna Nelidova/iStock

 

No winter landscape in the UK is without Holly. The dark green spiked leaves and red berries have become symbolic of the winter season, referenced in Christmas Carols and chart toppers, adorning puddings and covering cards. 

Links between the plant and winter celebrations can be seen across a variety of religions and beliefs. The plant is of significance to Pagans across Europe and has also been used by Druids in ceremonial head wear. Romans are believed to have thought Holly a sacred plant connected to the God Saturn during the festival of Saturnalia, a festival of gift giving with traditions still found in modern Christmas celebrations. 

Christians often decorated their homes and doorways with Holly as it was believed to protect against specters, witches, goblins and the devil who were more likely to appears on holy days.  

Ivy, Hedera helix, Maria Rytova/iStock

 

UK native Ivy is a hardy evergreen, thriving in landscapes across the UK from forests to urban cities. Between September to November mature Ivy flowers, producing nutritious and high calorie berries for a variety of birds.  

Although Ivy is often thought to strangle trees this is a common misconception as it causes no harm to trees, in reality supporting at least 50 species of wildlife.  

In ancient mythology Ivy was associated with the god of wine (Bacchus to the Romans and Dionysus to the Greeks). They were often seen to be wearing crowns made of Ivy as it was believed to prevent intoxication. This myth later influenced the old English tradition of hanging Ivy above tavern doors, to symbol high quality beverages and in Ireland Ivy that grew near homes was considered protection from evil. In old Yuletide traditions Ivy became symbolic of peace and was frequently used in seasonal decorations as a way of bringing this to a household.  

Juniper, Juniperus communis, Julija Kumpinovica/iStock

 

Juniper trees or shrubs are members of the Cupressaceae family that produce fleshy seed cones known as Juniper Berries, a botanical frequently used in gin that provides a piney, citrus like flavour. Unfortunately, Juniper plants in the UK are dwindling due to habitat loss which has led to many beverage producers importing Juniper from abroad.  

Although thought of as a British classic, Juniper flavoured spirits we’re introduced to the UK following an alliance with the Dutch in the 1500’s. In the late 1600’s William of Orange’s love for the Juniper infused drink kickstarted its popularity amongst soldiers and coined the term ‘Dutch courage’.  

Juniper has been long believed to have medicinal properties; the earliest recorded use of this nature occurs in ancient Egypt on papyrus dating back to 1500 BC. Today Juniper is still commonly used to flavour gin and in cooking as well as in essential oils and perfume.  

Mistletoe, Viscum album, Yulia-B/iStock

 

The light green leaves accompanied by white berries of mistletoe have become synonymous with winter celebrations, best known as the place to kiss a loved one during Christmas.  

The parasitic plant grows on host trees, commonly oak trees in the UK, pulling the nutrients it requires from the tree. As mistletoe is evergreen you can often see round clusters of mistletoe growing from trees even once they’ve dropped their leaves.  

The plant has become part of winter decoration partially due to its attractive sprigs but also because it was believed to protect against evil, cure diseases and symbolise fertility. Greek mythology even believed that mistletoe would allow you to travel to the underworld.

Common Oak, Quercus robur, mb-fotos/iStock

 

Britain’s national tree the Oak supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK. Thought to be a symbol of strength the Oak tree has been used to represent British culture and nature for centuries.  

As well as it’s iconic wave shaped leaves, which contribute to the reds and browns of autumn colour in woodland landscapes, the Common Oak also produces yellow catkins when in flower. You may be more familiar with acorns, frequently dropped by Oak trees at the start of autumn. You can often spot acorns being collected by animals such as squirrels, buried away for winter fuel, whilst those that don’t become Oak sprouts the following spring.  

Oak trees have been sacred to many gods who were thought to rule over thunder and lightning, including the Celtic god Dagda as their height means they are frequently hit by lightning. Druids often practiced pagan rituals amongst oak trees, couples would frequently marry beneath them or carry acorns as a lucky charm and in the winter Yule logs were made from Oak branches.

Oak leaves and acorns, Quercus robur, Esa Hiltula/iStock

Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, John Bracegirdle/iStock

 

Scots Pine is the only pine tree native to the UK and is the national tree of Scotland. The evergreens able of growing to 35m and living for 700 years and can be found in abundance in the Caledonian pine forest in the Scottish Highlands. 

The tree is a softwood, due to its strength the wood is commonly used in construction and joinery, but the tree's resin can also be used to make turpentine a component of varnish and paint.  

Scots Pine plays an important part in supporting other organisms. As well as providing homes for animals the bark of these trees supports epiphytic lichens and mosses which absorb nitrogen from the air. Scots pine is associated with over 200 kinds of mycorrhizal fungi, exchanging nutrients with these through their roots.

Scots pine cone, pinus sylvestris, Dariusz Leszczynski/iStock

1. Ilex aquifolium|common holly/RHS Gardening 
2. Holly: a Christmas tradition - MSU Extension 
3. Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - British Trees - Woodland Trust 
4. Juniper (Juniperus communis) - British Trees - Woodland Trust 
5. Juniperus communis|common juniper/RHS Gardening 
6. Juniper mythology and folklore | Trees for Life 
7. Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - British Trees - Woodland Trust  
8. Pinus sylvestris|Scots pine/RHS Gardening 
9. Ivy (Hedera helix) - British Wildflowers - Woodland Trust 
10. Hedera helix|common ivy/RHS Gardening 
11. Hazel (Corylus avellana) - British Trees - Woodland Trust 
12. Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) - British Trees - Woodland Trust 
13. Mistletoe (Viscum album) - British Plants - Woodland Trust 
14. Mistletoe / RHS Gardening 
15. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) - British Trees - Woodland Trust  
16. Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) - Woodland Trust 
17. Calluna vulgaris|heather/RHS Gardening 
18. Frangula alnus|alder buckthorn/RHS Gardening