Birch Trees: Myths and Superstitions

Birch trees have been used for landscaping for many years. There are many varieties to choose from and they have interesting qualities, such as white bark, that make them a lovely addition to any yard. But, there may be some things you have not heard about your birch trees. Here are some myths and legends about the birch tree that may be of interest.

The birch tree is sacred to the Norse god Thor. This type of tree is associated with many superstitious beliefs because of the usefulness of the wood in many projects. These might have included maypoles, brushes, arrows, and spoons. The birch tree is believed to have protective powers, as well. It was believed that if you wore a sprig of birch you would be kept safe from misfortune.

A bough from the birch tree would prevent evil spirits from entering your home if you hung it over your doorway. And, growing the tree in your yard will help ward off wicked fairies and demons because they dislike it's magical properties. This is also why parents hung a sprig of birch over a baby's cradle.

A naughty child was beaten with a birch stick to drive out the evil spirits. Another version of this superstition was practiced during Easter time in many areas. Young girls were struck lightly with a bundle of birch twigs. The bundles were decorated with strips of ribbon and silk. It was believed that this would keep them safe from vermin, flies and back trouble for an entire year. On other holy days, adults struck each other to help promote youthfulness.

Birch was also believed to be able to get rid of witches. If you hung a sprig where they were gathering, they would be forced to hold coven meetings somewhere else. The best strategy to keep witches out of your house is to plant a birch tree beside your front door. Any witch that tries to enter your house will have to count every leave before they can enter. But, do not let the tree touch or hang over your house in any way. This will bring sickness and back luck to anyone who lives in the house. If you wanted to protect your livestock, hanging a sprig of birch on them was believed to do the job.

It is still believed that birch trees have magical qualities in some cultures. It is a good idea to treat the trees with respect, just to be on the safe side. If a person is walking under a birch tree, they should cross their fingers. You never know what might befall you if you do not take careful steps when dealing with this magical tree.