Oddities Observed On Outings #10

On By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Nature, opinion, Photography, question
Coining it In With A Dead Tree?

This continuing series looks at things observed when walking. Some of these objects will be familiar to some readers, but many are likely to be unfamiliar to most. I’m really just presenting those objects that catch one’s attention, perhaps by their unusual placing, incongruity, idiosyncrasy, or simply their oddness.

This one looks at the habit of hammering coins into trees. I’ve come across these emblems of superstition in a few places. This one’s a fallen tree near Janet’s Foss in the Yorkshire Dales. But they can be found in many different locations. There are quite a few tales about the origin of the idea of hammering coins into trees, sometimes alive (which is actually a bad idea, of course) but mostly fallen and dead. Apparently, it’s commonly considered that hammering money into a tree can cure a health problem. How this obviously utter nonsense arose is a mystery as deep as many other superstitions, with no evidence such activity has any benefit for the vandal perpetrating it.

In some cases, especially where the tree is by running water, the habit may be an oddly warped version of the other superstitious habit of tossing coins into the stream as a form of worship of the water goddess. Equally nonsensical, of course, since no such deity exists. But it seems some people can’t help but follow like sheep and pollute the environment with coins that may eventually add a touch of poison to the locality. Copper, in particular, is thought to damage live trees. However, that idea is open to doubt.

Whilst many who do this probably believe they’re following some ancient tradition, they should maybe understand the earliest recorded instance is from Scotland in 1700. Others may do it simply because someone else has done it before them. I have my own view of such ill-considered copying, what about you?

9 thoughts on “Oddities Observed On Outings #10”

  2. Many people think these “traditions” are charming, but really they’re nonsense. There used to be a tradition of bleeding people, too, but we stopped that one when we found out it was hogwash. And that coin-infested tree trunk looks like something out of a Stephen King novel!

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    1. I’m not sure the word ‘think’ can be related to those who blindly follow what is often called a ‘tradition’, Lynette, otherwise many of the awful things that continue in the world would cease. It seems that labelling something a ‘tradition’ ‘custom’ or ‘cultural heritage’ automatically raises its stature to one deserving respect, when, in fact, very many of these things are far from deserving of respect and should be stopped.
      Hope you’re enjoying your trip, by the way!

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