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Hawthorn (Whitethorn): Sceach Gheal: Crataegus Monogyna.

It flowers usually in late May, its blossom is sweetly scented attracting bees, but also has a sour tang which attracts flies. The ripened berries (haws) are preferred by birds after frost has softened them.

Hawthorns are native to temperate regions and are widespread as hedge, its sharply thorned branches offering effective barrier to the farm animals, in some areas it is called the mayflower.

So much lore surrounds this tree that many solitary trees stand out in an otherwise tree-less zone, as a result of the belief that it is the meeting place of the fairies who may live in or under this tree.

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[The Hedgehog] [The Bramble] [The Chiffchaff] [The Frog Hopper] [Hawthorn] [Tree Roots]
[The Wood Mouse] [The Pigmy Shrew] [The Sycamore] [The Guelder Rose] [The Ash] [Gorse] [Hazel] [Tootworth]
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[The Otter] [Limestone] [Holly] [The Fox] [The Mighty Oak] [Common Polypody] [Treecreeper] [The Irish Stoat]
[The Hornbeam] [Bats]