Hawthorn Close (Larch Tree Lane)

The hawthorn tree is associated with Beltane, the ancient festival celebrating spring, and it is one

of the most sacred trees in Celtic mythology. It symbolises love and protection.

In March, the leaf buds start to open and pale green leaves appear, joined by masses of delicate

white flower buds in May, whose blossoms have five white petals surrounding stamens with bright

pink heads. They produce red berries in July.

Songbirds love hawthorns and they’ll visit often in the autumn and winter to enjoy the bright

coloured berries.

Hawthorn trees are most frequently used as hedges in the UK, and to have a whole street of very

old trees would be extremely rare and precious.