Chapter Traveller to Trees noted for Specific Virtues and Uses of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

The poplar bursts into leaf between March 6 and April 19.

(34) Rose Tree. The rose is called the “queen of flowers.” It is the emblem of England, as the thistle is of Scotland, the shamrock of Ireland, and the lily of France.

It has ever been a favourite on graves as a memorial of affection; hence, Propertius says, “Et tenera poneret ossarosa.” In Rome, the day when the pope blesses the golden rose is called Dominica in Rosa. The long intestine strife between the rival houses of York and Lancaster is called in history the “War of the White and Red Roses,” because the badge of the Yorkists was a white rose and that of the Lancastrians a red one (see p. 934). The marriage of Henry VII. with Elizabeth of York is called the “Union of the Two Roses.”

The rose was anciently considered a token of secrecy, and hence, to whisper a thing sub rosa means it is not to be repeated.

In Persian fable, the rose is the nightingale’s bride. “His queen, his garden queen, the rose.” (See Rose, p. 933)

(35) Sallow, excellent for hurdles, handles of hatchets, and shoemakers’ boards. The honey of the catkins is good for bees, and the Highlanders use the bark for tanning leather.

(36) Spruce Tree (The) will reach to the age of 1000 years and more. Spruce is despised by English carpenters, “as a sorry sort of wood.”

Il fournit une bière dite sapinette, en Anglais spruce beer, qu’en prètend être éminement anti-scorbutique. —Bouillet: Dict. Univ. des Sciences.

(37) Sycamore Tree used by turners for bowls and trenchers. It bursts into leaf between March 28 and April 23.

St. Hierom, who lived in the fourth century A.D., asserts that he himself had seen the sycamore tree into which Zacchæus climbed to see Jesus in His passage from Jericho to Jerusalem.—Luke xix. 4.

Strutt tells us of a sycamore tree in Cobham Park, Kent, 26 feet in girth and 90 feet high. Another in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, 20 feet in girth and 60 feet high.—Sylva Britannica.

Grass will flourish beneath this tree, and the tree will thrive by the sea-side.

(38) Tamarisk Tree does not dislike the sea-spray, and therefore thrives in the neighbourhood of the sea.

The Romans used to wreathe the heads of criminals with tamarisk withes. The Tartars and Russians make whip-handles of the wood.

The tamarisk is excellent for besoms. —B. P.

(39) Upas Tree, said to poison everything in its vicinity. This is only fit for poetry and romance.

(40) Walnut, best wood for gun-stocks; cabinet-makers used it largely.

This tree thrives best in valleys, and is most fertile when most beaten.—B. P.

A woman, a spaniel, and walnut tree,
The more you beat them, the better they be.
   —Taylor, the “water- poet” (1630).

Uneasy seated by funereal Yeugh,
Or Walnut, whose malignant touch impairs
All generous fruits.
   —Philips: Cyder,