She's known officially as the Silver Birch, but you can call her the Lady of the Woods. Sacred to the Celtic goddess Brigid, this elegant tree, native to Europe and parts of Asia, played a central role in Beltane celebrations, where its wood was used for May poles and ritual fires to mark new beginnings.

Beyond its mystical significance, the Silver Birch offers practical value. Its sap serves as a natural sweetener, while its high-heat-producing wood makes it perfect for heating and charcoal production. Though it only lives for 4-6 decades, during this time, it supports diverse wildlife through its symbiotic relationships with fungi and its characteristic catkins – yellow male and green female flowers adorning the same tree.