The hawthorn is both wicked and welcome - its thorns draw blood, yet it nurtures ecosystems, hearts, and heritage. Revered in folklore, medicine, and conservation, it supports biodiversity, stabilises soil, and symbolises both fertility and boundaries. This enduring tree bridges science and myth, offering shelter, sustenance, and stories across centuries.

The tree looked lonely, growing from the base of a crag high above the Lakeland town of Ambleside...