Mythical trees in the Wijnendalebos - Torhout

Trees have a special meaning in the world of legends and myths .

They appear in countless stories from a time when our ancestors believed in giants and monsters and were amazed by nature in all its diversity. In particular, the ancient common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) must have left an overwhelming impression at the time. The world tree 'Yggdrasil' was an ash tree. Its branches spread all over the world and even reached to heaven. At the top was an eagle; a serpent at your feet. A squirrel paced, relaying hostile messages between the two.

The pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) also has enormous symbolic power. It is said that oak and ash created the first man from their branches and wood . However, the high specialty of the oak is more closely linked to the time when the Celtic druids worshiped it.

The linden tree is considered by Ouodsher to be a symbol of fertility . To invoke the fertility of cattle and fields, our ancestors planted a linden tree at the entrance to their yard . Whoever wandered around there was sure to have rich offspring.

Willem Vandenameele