29th August 2020 - Wild Service Tree

 When you have been out and about have you ever noticed the Wild Service Tree? Nor me, I didn’t even know there was an English tree with such a name. It is quite rare now but can be found in forests of Oak and Ash and ancient forests.

But what is the possible link with some old British pubs?

The fruits, also known as chequers, are said to taste like dates and were given to children as sweets. They can be made into an alcoholic drink and it is thought they influenced the naming of 'Chequers Inns', although it is unclear which came first – the name of the fruit or the inns.

It’s not so long ago that you could find wild-service fruit at a market. Then there is the Spindle tree so called because the Spindle timber is creamy-white, hard and dense and in the past it was used to make ‘spindles’ for spinning and holding wool (hence its name), as well as skewers, toothpicks, pegs and knitting needles.

After pollination, flowers develop into bright pink fruits with bright orange seeds, which look a bit like popcorn. The fruits were baked and powdered, and used to treat head lice or mange in cattle. Both the leaves and fruit are toxic to humans – the berries having a laxative effect.

There are 10 detailed photographs of both these trees on The Woodland Trust website. Just look for A to Z of British Trees. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/ Thank you to The Woodland Trust website for this fascinating information and pictures. Read more about these trees on The Woodland Trust web site or download their free app to your smart phone and you can then identify British trees on the go.

Ted Higgs