Dioscorides mentioned pine being called larch (Pinus pinea) by the Gauls and that it was imported to Greece from Gaul or Galatia and additionally, the resin was used to treat coughs. It was said that in Ireland when the ancient megaliths were erected, there were great forests “…of oak and pine, some of the trunks being of enormous size, such as could not grow in the locality at the present time: even hardy trees which in modern days have been planted in the situation, have remained sickly and stunted. On the ancient surface, where grew the giant timber, varying from sixteen to twenty feet beneath the present surface of the bog, numerous traces of rude pottery and burnt brick-clay were found; therefore the ancient pagans who built the carn on the slopes of Topped Mountain, lived under the shadow of this forest, and erected the megalithic monuments during the time it existed.^“1

The Scots pine declined rapidly in Ireland, Scotland and Britain starting approximately 1,000 years ago due to colonization, and therefore appears less in folk records, however, there are still many fragments that remain. In both Ireland and Scotland, pine resin was used as a vulnerary and in Scotland, an infusion of the bark was used to treat fevers. A poultice of pine tree needles put on the back of one’s neck was said to treat water on the brain. It was also said that spending considerable time each day sitting in a pine tree would cure you of tuberculosis.^2,3 In Ireland, the bark leaves and cones were known to be of a dry astringent nature. Thus they were used to stop diarrhea, dysentery and as a diuretic as well as alleviate toothaches. Additionally the pine apples were considered to be beneficial for the lungs, kidneys, liver and spleen.⁴ Finally, in England, to treat a bloody cough, you should have taken “…four pennies weight of the seeds of burdock and nuts from the cones of pine trees, and pound them together just as you make an apple dumpling. Give this to the patient, and it will cure him.”⁵

Pine is mentioned in the Irish tales of Cú Chulainn, The Cattle-Raid of Fráech, The Coming of Lugh as well as the poems of Ossian. Additionally, in the legends of the Fianna, they often visited an enchanted pine forest where they had success on every hunting outing. There is one particular story involving a hunting challenge between the Fianna and Angus Og of the Tuatha Dé Danann. In the story, the wood used to burn enchanted pigs to prevent them from coming to life again is alluded to have been pine. In Wales, the pine is mentioned in the famous Battle of the Trees poem in the Book of Taliesin VIII.

In Scotland, there’s a beautiful old poem entitled ‘The Aged Bard’s Wish‘ where he says “Let tender ducklings skim with speed, The placid lake of stately pines, Where stretches far the woody mead, And mountain-ash in softness twines.” The poem is an incredible 36 stanzas long, thought to be told by an old bard on his death bed reciting that which he loved most about life and nature.⁶ The Scots Pine is the national tree of Scotland and known as the ‘Harp of Trees’ due to the whimsical and soft sound the wind makes while blowing through its soft needles. In the Scottish highlands, but especially the isle of Orkney, new mothers and their babies are ‘sained‘ and blessed soon after birth with fir or pine smoke whirled three times around the bed. There is a famous fairy hill named Doon Hill near Aberfoyle where the Reverend Robert Kirk was found dead wearing only his nightshirt. Locals blamed the fairies for his death for giving away their secrets and writing a book called The Secret Commonwealth of Elves and Faeries. It is said that a mature pine marks the spot where his soul was taken away by the faeries.⁷ 

A legend on the Isle of Skye tells of an important document going missing of the Clan MacDonald related to the pine. The story goes that shortly after the chief’s death in 1616, the deceased figure of Donald Gorm Mor and two companions were seen wandering the road leading to Duntulm Castle and then entering the castle itself. Locals made efforts to talk to them to see of their business but they would not be apprehended. Finally, a local man suggested following them into the castle with seven lit staves of pine after which the ghost of Donald finally spoke and revealed to the terrified watchers, “I was in Edinburgh last night, I am in my own mansion tonight, And worth a mote in the sunbeam, I have not in me of strength, If it were not the slender lances of pine, This would be to thy hurt, Young Donald Gorm.” and he revealed where the lost family document was to be found.⁸ 

There are many European legends that tell of certain gods or goddesses existing in the form of a sacred tree and particularly a pine tree, such as in the legends of the Greek Attis, Roman Dionysus and Egyptian Osiris. Often a wand tipped with a pine-cone is held by deities in artwork of old.⁹ This association with pine trees to gods may have possibly been a cross cultural belief amongst the Celtic peoples as well although that is speculative. The church had a very hard time suppressing the cult of tree and nature worship. It was said that heavy fines were imposed on those who left offerings or placed lights around sacred trees, especially those near sacred sites, stone circles or wells, however the practice and reverence stubbornly continued arguably right up into the present. For example, in France during the late 300’s, Martin of Tours was given allowance by locals to destroy a pagan temple, but not the pine-tree which stood beside it, for it was so beloved, that if he were to cut it down, he risked his own life.¹⁰ 

Pine and pine needles have been used unanimously for millennia in Europe for multiple purposes including to make ships and ship masts, used as quick and bright kindling, especially bog pine in Ireland, and to add to mattresses or other household items to purify them and keep them smelling fresh. Even as recently as the 1900’s, it was said in the Carmina Gadelica that in Scotland pine was used for ships…“The men of old would not kill a pig nor sheep nor goat nor axe-cow at the wane of the moon… Neither would they cut withes of hazel or willow for creels or baskets, nor would they cut trees of pine to make a boat, in the black wane of the moon… The people did all of these things at the waxing or at the full of the moon.” Regarding bog pine in Ireland, it was said that the pine was used before candles and “When the turf was drawn in from the bog, they saved the dew in the pine and put it in a stack. Then the pine was cut into little strips and at night a box of it was brought into the kitchen. The wound tow round the pine and they stuck it in a pan of grease and this was lit and used before candles.^“11

Pine resin was also collected from living trees and used to make pitch for preserving and caulking boats and other household items. Pine was undoubtedly burned for magical reasons as well as for practical ones. The tree being an evergreen along with the flames of burning pine turning white from the resin thus made it a symbol for spring, rebirth and possibly Imbolc, the Spring Equinox or Bealtaine.¹² The pine tree was a perfect candidate for dancing around and using as the May pole for May Day, an Anglo Saxon holiday celebrated similarly as Bealtaine. With that said, the pine tree is an evergreen and would have also been celebrated and brought inside the house during colder months so it may have been associated with the Winter Solstice as well. The pine tree is a very old and sacred symbol of vivacity and immortality, being used and gifted seemingly by the gods not only to make household items and ships but to be used as potent medicine.

The pine tree is in the Pinaceae family and native to Europe through Eastern Siberia and well into the Arctic circle. The leaves are long, skinny and smooth with cones that act as flowers. The male cones are relatively small and inconspicuous and resemble unopened female pine cones. The female cones are the open and woody structures that people typically associate pine trees with. Wind-borne pollen from the male cones lands in the female cones and it often takes about a year or more for fertilization to occur. Once seeds are fertilized and developed, they are released via wind, heat or animal dispersal. Pine trees are typically perennials in all zones from 4 through 7. They aren’t too picky about soil type and are generally very hardy, flourishing where many other trees would not.

Scots pine can grow upwards of approximately 45 m or 148 ft. tall. Pine’s energy is cooling and drying. The leaves/needles, bark, pine nuts, pollen and seeds are edible and have a pungent unique pine flavor. It’s most commonly used as an infusion, tincture, extract, decoction, mouth wash, steam bath or essential oil. The leaves and bark should generally be collected in the spring or early summer when they’re the freshest and softest. To harvest pine nuts, you want to harvest the cones while they’re still green just before they have opened. A good rule of thumb is that if some cones are open and some are closed, you know it’s far enough along in the season that they’re ready for harvesting. Place the pine cones on a tray to dry for at least 20 days or you can roast them in the oven to dry faster. Once they’re well and dry, pull off the scales by hand to expose the nuts inside. Place them all in a bowl of water to clean them and discard any nuts that float as that means they’re likely empty. Shell the nuts by taking off the outer layer of skin. If you’re not eating them immediately, you’re going to want to store them in the refrigerator and use them within a month.  

Benefits

analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticancer and antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, anxiety alterative, blood tonic, depression alterative, diaphoretic, expectorant, neuro-protective, radiation preventative, vulnerary, weight alterative

Recipe

Pine Nut Granola Bar

Ingredients: 8 oz. or 1 cup oatmeal, 4 oz. or 1/2 cup pine nuts crushed into small pieces, 1 oz. or 1/8 cup hemp or nettle seeds, 3 tsp maple syrup, 3 tsp raw honey, 2 tsp vanilla, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 oz. or 1/4 cup wild dried cranberries or cherries

Instructions: Preheat oven to 225°F. Coarsely chop pine nuts and stir together in a bowl with the oats and cinnamon. Combine the syrup and honey in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Slowly pour the syrup mixture over the pine nuts and oats, stirring to combine. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly on the sheet. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes making sure to turn it gently with a spoon every 20 minutes, four times total during baking. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Mix in the dried cranberries or cherries and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.  

References

1. Wood-Martin, W.G., Pagan Ireland, An Archaeological Sketch, London, 1895, pg. 118.
2. Allen, David and Hatfield, Gabrielle, Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition: An Ethnobotany of Britain & Ireland, Timber Press, 2004, pg. 65.
3. Irish Folk Duchas, The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0673, Page 152.
4. K’Eogh, John. Edited by Michael Scott in 1986. An Irish Herbal. 1735. Pg. 122. 
5. Campbell, John Gregorson, Witchcraft and Second Sight in The Highlands & Islands of Scotland: Tales and Traditions, Glasgow, 1902,  pg 228.
6. Munro, Robert, Poems, and Translations, In Verse From Admired Compositions of the Ancient Celtic Bards, Edinburgh, 1843, pg. 88.
7. Meiklejohn-Free, Barbara, Scottish Witchcraft, Llewellyn Publications, 2019, pg. 170.
8. Van Arsdall, Anne, Medieval Herbal Remedies, The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon Medicine, New York, 2002 (5th century original text), pg. 207.
9. Frazer, James, The Golden Bough, London, 1922, pg. 360, 380, 469.
10. Macculloch, J.A., The Religion of the Ancient Celts, Edinburgh, 1911, pg. 204.
11. Irish Folk Duchas, The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0731, Page 250.
12. Frazer, James, The Golden Bough, London, 1922, pg. 122, 123, 124.