Whisper it, but it seems like spring is well and truly upon us, and what a season it is.
It is amazing how many ‘old sayings’ there are about the weather in the UK, but it’s hardly surprising given that the subject is supposed to be a national obsession.
The one for this month is of course ‘cast ne’er a clout ‘til May is out’, a gentle reminder of how fickle the weather is right now. As I type this, the sun is shining across the fields here at Steep Marsh in Hampshire, the green of the trees is picked out beautifully by the duck-egg blue sky and the air filled with birdsong.
Yesterday there was thunder and lightning and the sky could best be described as battleship grey.
And that’s the point of the saying, a clout as you will know is an old English word for clothing, and basically we’re being warned not to get our summer togs on just yet, at least not until May is out. But, and here’s a thing, the saying is not actually referring to the month of May, it means the May Flower, or to give it the proper name, the Common Hawthorn.
Most people will only ever see the Hawthorn as a hedge but the mature trees can grow to a height of 15 metres. They are armed with the most wicked set of thorns, as anybody that has ever pruned one will testify (if you are planning to do a bit of pruning, wear long sleeves, stout gloves and take some plasters!).
But the blossom makes them one of the most striking, fragrant and welcome of all British trees, the air filled with their sweet scent particularly in late spring and early summer. They are also an absolute haven for pollinators, and birds of all sizes, and if you’re a fan of cute, dormice absolutely love the Hawthorn blossom.
The red fruit, or haws can be eaten, and have recently found their way onto many trendy restaurant menus, but please be careful if you’re picking them for yourself, it’s really only the young fruits that are edible, the older ones can cause tummy ache.
As with all ancient plants and trees, there is plenty of folklore and mythology surrounding the Hawthorne, particularly its association with fertility as the pre cursor to the May Pole. It’s not all happy times though, we are also warned never to bring Hawthorn blossom into the house, for fear of attracting illness and death…oh, and the smell of ageing cut blossoms reminded people of the Black Death.
But to us, the Hawthorn is a welcome and most wonderful sight, spring is here and we could not be happier.
So there you have it, a little bit of information about an old saying, and the magnificent, not so humble Hawthorn Tree.
