The Elder Tree
What if trees could talk? I often ask that of the elder at the gateway, the one that bursts into white blossom in May and drips with dark berries in September. Its branches make an archway over the gate. In old Irish lore, an elder planted at the entrance protects the home, its spirit standing guard over all who pass by. This old elder must have been planted by people who lived here years ago.
Scots Pine
Head on down the long driveway and you’ll pass ancient Scots pines, rising like guardians against the sky. Strong and steady, they’ve stood through seasons and storms, symbols of endurance and resilience. They feel like protectors of the lane, keeping watch as life moves past.
Beech
At the bottom of the laneway are big old beech trees. They take their time in spring, coming into leaf later than most. But by October they’re the showstoppers, golden leaves that brighten the whole drive and stay right through into November. They drop beech nuts all over the ground, a reminder that in the past people used to gather them for food. In folklore, the beech is seen as a tree of wisdom and protection, a kind of steady presence that has been here a long time.
Damson
Scattered around the cottages are old damson trees. They’re gnarled and twisted, as if they’ve seen a hundred different seasons and still keep going. In August they’re suddenly heavy with little purple fruit. It always looks tempting too soon, but bite into one before its time and it’s shockingly bitter. Leave them a bit longer and they’re rich and full of flavour. What amazes me is how much fruit one tree can carry, usually taking one year on, one year off, with so little care given to the tree! There are a few outside Slieve Martin Cottage and more around the tennis court in front of Leckan Mor. Reminders of an older way of planting orchards close to where people lived.
Larch
In the fields to the front of Slieve Roe, the ditches are lined with larch. In winter they don’t look like much, just thin scraggly branches against the sky. But in spring they burst into the freshest green needles and the whole place changes. A few years ago, larch trees across the local area were hit by disease and many had to be cut down. The ones here survived, and I’m glad they did. They must have their own resilience. The older larch, the big spreading ones, are especially beautiful. There’s one down by Slieve Meel and another is along the Kilbroney River. Their long sweeping branches hang like the folds of a gown and have a grace to them that always makes me stop and look.
Oak
Not all of the trees here are old. Some are newer, planted through the years. About ten years ago, with the help of Mourne Heritage Trust, we planted oaks and hazels as part of the “Trees for Mourne” project. The oak saplings came from the ancient woodlands at Rostrevor, carrying a bit of heritage with them. Now they’re strong enough to carry acorns, and I’ve noticed new saplings appearing along the riverbank — probably planted by squirrels and jays. Apparently jays are great at spreading oak, mostly because they forget where they’ve hidden them. We also have a few older oaks on the land, so perhaps the new ones come from there too.
Hazel
The hazels we planted at the same time as the oaks came from Kilfeaghan, on the far side of Killowen. This year they’ve been carrying their first cobs of nuts. Hazelnuts have long been linked with wisdom in Irish folklore, and I’m curious to see what else they’ll bring to the land. Who knows — maybe one day we’ll even find truffles growing at their roots.
Wild Cherry
Wild cherry trees also grow here. In spring they’re covered in beautiful white blossom, and later in the year their branches are bountiful with small cherries. The fruit is too tiny for much use, but the birds love them. They spread the seeds far and wide, which is why we have new little cherry saplings popping up everywhere.
Rowan, Alder and Willow
Other trees make their mark too. The rowan, or mountain ash, brightens the autumn with clusters of red berries and is another tree long thought to offer protection. The alder thrives by the river, its roots holding the banks firm. It shelters fish like trout and supports the insect life they feed on, making it an important part of the water’s cycle. Willows spring up wherever the ground is damp, quick to take hold and spread. They don’t stand out as much as some of the others, but they quietly do their work, shaping the land in their own way.
Holly
Holly grows here too, its glossy green leaves brightening the hedgerows. In winter the berries turn red, often coveted for Christmas decorations — though the birds usually get to them first.
Hawthorn
And then there are the hawthorns. Heavy with blossom in May, glowing with red berries in autumn, they are special trees in Irish folklore. Known as fairy trees, they were said to be portals to the otherworld. Even today, people are careful not to cut them. They stand along the ditches at Rostrevor Holidays as reminders that some trees carry more than just shade or fruit — they carry stories.
The Story They Tell
Everywhere you walk here, trees are part of the welcome. From elder at the gateway to hawthorn in the ditches, each has its place in the landscape and its part in the story of this land. Some were planted for food, some for shelter, some for protection, and others simply grew where they chose. They may not speak out loud, but if you stop and notice, they have plenty to say.
How many trees can you find at Rostrevor Holidays?
For a quick overview of the trees and wildlife here, visit our Nature & Wildlife page
